If you celebrate Halloween, you’re probably already into pumpkin carving, candy and costumes! Halloween falls on a Tuesday this year, which is a work day. Please consider the following tips to make Halloween a fun and safe experience at work and home:

Health & Wellness

  • Track your steps. Take note of your step count on your phone before you head out to trick-of-treat and compare that number to your total when you return home. You may be surprised at how far you go while having fun with your family!
  • Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich meal. Before going trick-or-treating, fuel your body with nutrient-dense foods to keep your energy level up throughout the night! 
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated! 
  • Offer trick-or-treaters non-candy alternatives. For example:
    • Small boxes of raisins, trail mix or low-sugar granola bars
    • Stickers
    • Small toys, like yo-yos, bouncy balls
    • Toothbrushes

Diversity & Inclusion

  • Be respectful.
    • Not everyone celebrates Halloween.
    • If you dress up for work, ensure your choice of costume is fun, respectful and appropriate for the workplace. Avoid costumes that inadvertently perpetuate negative stereotypes and/or offend other cultures.

Safety

  • Drive carefully. Halloween is the most dangerous night of the year for child pedestrians. Drivers should use extra caution since children and parents are out on the roadways. Slow down in residential neighborhoods, obey traffic signs and signals, and enter and exit driveways and alleyways slowly.
  • Discuss pedestrian safety with your child. Remind children to use crosswalks, look both ways before crossing the road, and walk, not run, while trick-or-treating. Help them decorate their costume, bag, or candy bucket with reflective tape or stickers to increase their visibility to drivers. 
  • Choose a safe costume. Ensure your costume allows you to perform your job safely. Avoid costumes that could trip you or obscure your vision.
  • Trick-or-treat wisely. Bring a flashlight and check all candy before children are allowed to eat it. Toss anything that is not wrapped.

Be safe and have FUN!