Get Healthy Carson City: Trick-or-treat, Carson City!

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

A big weekend is coming up in Carson City! On Friday, all manner of ghouls and goblins, princesses and superheroes will be unleashed on Carson City for the annual Trick-or-Treat festivities. Bright and early on Saturday morning, revelers will gather in Carson City for the Nevada Day celebration.

Please take note Trick or Treat will be held a day early in Carson City, on Friday, instead of the traditional Halloween date of the 31st, because the Silver State will celebrate Nevada Day on Oct. 31. Neighboring Douglas and Lyon counties will still hold Trick or Treat on Saturday.

Western Nevada Safe Routes to Schools and Carson City Health and Human Services would like to share some helpful tips to make Halloween safe, healthy and enjoyable in our community.

Tips for Trick or Treaters

Safety in Numbers: Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Be safe, Be seen: Use flashlights so you can see where you’re going and attach reflective tape to costumes and bags to help others see you.

Look left, look right, look left again: Look both ways before crossing the street. Use sidewalks and crosswalks wherever possible.

Don’t slip and trip: Wear costumes that fit properly to make sure you don’t trip and fall.

Avoid stranger danger: Only trick or treat at houses that are well-lit. Do not go inside anyone’s house you don’t know.

Bundle up: This year’s Trick or Treat forecast calls for a high temperature near 65 degrees, but with lows dipping into the upper 30s. Wear plenty of warm clothing to avoid frostbite.

Check your treats. While most treats are perfectly good to eat, some may not be. Parents, take a few moments to look over your child’s treats and discard any that are unsealed, or that may not be safe.

Tips for the community

Be sure walkways and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.

Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from things that could ignite, such as doorsteps, walkways, landings, costumes and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.

If you’re driving, be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters and drive safely.

Think of the kids in your neighborhood. While Halloween is a fun time to have a little fright, over-the-top gore and violent-looking displays may not be appropriate for the many youngsters who are going to be out and about.