My little “dinosaur” is ready for Halloween. My husband and I are so excited about taking our daughter Trick-or-Treating for the first time. Candy and treats are a big part of Halloween fun and the FDA has some safety tips to remember before Trick-or-Treating.
· Do not eat candy until it has been inspected at home.
· Eat a snack before heading out to avoid the temptation of nibbling on a treat before it has been inspected.
· In case of a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen is not in the ingredient list. Tell children not to eat anything that is not commercially wrapped.
· Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys from the Halloween bags.
· Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
It is also important to consider logistics of walking from door to door for a safe Trick-or-Treating experience. Safe Kids Worldwide gives the following safety tips.
· Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing. Keep looking as you cross.
· Put electronic devices down and keep heads up while walking-not running- across the street.
· Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
· Always walk down sidewalks or paths. Walk facing traffic as far left as possible, if there are no sidewalks available. Children should walk on direct routes with the least street crossings.
· Teach children to never to run out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Drivers should be extra cautious on Halloween, especially in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited about Trick-or-Treating and may move in unpredictable ways. It is a good idea to turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from further distances. Peak Trick-or-Treating hours are 5:30 p.m.-9:30p.m. Be extra mindful of children’s whereabouts during those hours.
For more information check out www.fda.gov and safekids.org. Have a fun and safe Halloween!
Lime Jell-O Salad
1 pkg Lime Jell-O
1 cup hot water
½ cup cottage cheese
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup crushed pineapple
¼ cup walnuts
Boil water then mix the hot water with the lime Jell-O. Whisk until the gelatin is dissolved. Let Jell-O sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Mix in the cottage cheese and mayonnaise until thoroughly combined. Stir in the pineapple and chopped nuts in the cottage cheese mixture. Pour into a bowl or mold and refrigerate for 2 hours until firm (if making in a Jell-O mold, double the recipe). Serve with whipped cream and top with a cherry.
Submitted by Beasley’s Bend FCE Club
