Written by ACS Mental Health Coordinator Kristi Rains 

In October, we celebrate Halloween and Red Ribbon Week. While these two events may seem very different, they do have one thing in common - the importance of making safe choices. Trick-or-treating is fun when safety is a priority. Some tips for keeping Halloween fun and safe:

1. Avoid going to unfamiliar homes and neighborhoods. Visit homes that you know. Attend community events, such as the Downtown Trunk-or-Treat and other events at local businesses and churches.

2. Choose a costume that fits properly to avoid tripping hazards, and make sure masks do not block the child’s vision.

3. Teach pedestrian safety and use flashlights and/or reflective tape on costumes to increase visibility in the dark. Adults should accompany young children. 

4. Check your child’s candy for dangers such as allergens (such as peanuts) and choking hazards. Toss opened or unwrapped candies, homemade treats from people you do not know, and candy that seems old or suspicious. 

5. Monitor how much candy your child eats at one time. Too much candy can cause stomach aches, headaches, tiredness after an initial burst of energy, difficulty focusing and concentrating, and an irritable mood. Since students will have school the day after Halloween, encourage them to enjoy their candy in moderation over several days so that they are not miserable at school. 

Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide focus (October 24-28) on making safe choices about what we put into our bodies and saying “No” to drugs. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free.” Sometimes, parents struggle to talk to their kids about drug and alcohol use. However, it is important to start young. Halloween can be a great time to discuss the importance of making wise choices about what we put into our bodies. For instance, too much candy can cause headaches and stomach aches, and taking too much medicine can cause sickness instead of helping you feel better. Talk with your kids about how to identify and respond to unhealthy situations. You don't want to scare kids, but you can empower them by teaching them why it’s important to say no to vaping, underage alcohol use, medication misuse, and illicit drugs. Tobacco and e-cigarette companies market their products to kids, and even illegal drugs are sometimes made to look like candies. One of the fastest-growing dangers for students is fentanyl, which can be deadly at the first use. Students need to know the dangers of experimenting “just once.” This drug is sometimes made to look like candy, which makes it even more dangerous for students. 

Parents and caregivers can help protect students from unhealthy choices by having open conversations and helping them develop a way out if they encounter an unhealthy situation. 

Tips for parents:

1. Educate yourself on the dangers and effects of vaping (including vapes that contain a form of THC, the substance in marijuana that affects a person's mental state). https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipSheet_508.pdf and https://drugfree.org/article/vaping-and-marijuana-what-you-need-to-know/ 

2. Lock up prescription medications. Prescription medicine misuse and abuse is a rapidly growing problem across the nation. https://lockyourmeds.org/ 

3. Monitor your own alcohol and tobacco products / vapes in your home. Many students report using alcohol and tobacco products / vapes found at home and without the knowledge of parents.

4. Help your child get involved in an activity that gives them a “natural high,” or a reason to avoid drugs. These activities can include sports, band, choir, theater, art, dance, or other hobbies. Use resources at https://www.naturalhigh.org/for-parents/ to help you and your child find their “natural high.”

Let’s help our kids and community be safe this October!!