With Halloween approaching, this is a time to remind everyone about how to keep your kid’s safe and healthy.

First, don’t allow your kids to have free reign to eat all of the candy they collect while trick-or-treating. Teach them to separate their cache. Learning portion control is an important lesson for kids to learn, particularly with the obesity problems facing many children. Developing good habits while young is a lesson that will serve kids well into adulthood.

Second, be sure your child’s costume is flame resistant. These type of costumes have labels that lets you know that they are treated or made with material that do not easily burn. Also, talk with your children about safety measures, and tell them to fall to the ground and roll. It is a good idea to practice this beforehand. The “Stop, Drop, and Roll” technique is one that can save their lives, and if they practice it, they will be better prepared if they should ever need to do it for real.

Third, even though many smart parents will go with their children (or entrust them with other responsible parties) while trick-or-treating, it is very easy for the children to become separated. Sew your child’s name (and your own name) and contact information on the inside of the costume, letting your child know that it is there.

Fourth, stress to kids about being alert to strangers. Halloween is a popular time for child predators to abduct or harm children. Arm your children with knowledge without scaring them. If you need help, visit the Web site of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. There are many resources on the site to help parents and other caregivers to keep their children safe. Take a moment and surf through the pages; these are helpful not just at Halloween, but all year long - both on the Internet and in the real world too:

www.ncmec.org/missingkid
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Halloween is meant to be fun for kids. Exercising a few measures up front can help ensure it is fun, healthy, and safe for kids of all ages.