Macon County Health Department issue tips for a safe and sweet Halloween

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Many kids are excited to go trick-or-treating this year with their fun costumes and get some candy. The Macon County Health Department is focused on safety, reminding parents to watch out for Halloween hazards.

"Halloween should be a fun time for everyone," said Director of Health Promotions Emily O'Connell.

According to the Illinois Poison Center, there were 4,062 exposures to cosmetics, 244 exposures to glow stick products and three exposures to dry ice last year. The concern is for younger children being exposed to substances inside glow sticks and harmful effects from body paint.

O'Connell encourages parents to put their kids in costumes that can be seen in the dark, and always check labels on face paint.

"Young children explore the world with their hands and mouth, so they are more likely to accidentally ingest or be exposed to those harmful substances," O'Connell explained.

Parents should always check the candy before their child consumes any. The health department urges parents to talk to their children about the importance of staying close and not running off during trick-or-treating.

"It's important to have a parent or guardian, [or an] older, responsible sibling with them," O'Connell said.

One key safety tip is avoiding getting candy from unfamiliar places, and local trunk or treat events could be a safer option.

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