Make Halloween Healthy and Fun - 10.29.2014
Press
Release - Wednesday,
October 29, 2014
Contact - Barb Seckler,
Columbus Public Health, 645-4798
Make Halloween Healthy and Fun.
Tips Keep the Whole Family Active and
Safe.
Ghosts, goblins – and a few superheroes – will soon be wandering city
neighborhoods looking for treats. But even superheroes need a few health
and safety reminders once in a while.
A Happy Halloween is an
active and safe Halloween – and the Institute of Active Living at Columbus
Public Health is offering a few tips that will help you – and your little
superheroes -- make the most of this fun holiday.
“There are a lot of things parents can
do to incorporate physical activity into their Halloween activities, "
says Barb Seckler, section chief of the Institute for Active Living which
is working to grow healthy kids by ensuring that physical activity is part
of their everyday life.
To
help make physical activity a part of your Halloween fun, Seckler suggests:
- Taking
kids to pick their own pumpkins and play in the hay stacks, and then
helping them carve jack-o-lanterns at home.
- Visiting
ghost houses and corn mazes so kids can run and play.
- Holding
costume parties with friends that include games and activities.
And while being active is important,
it is also imperative to keep safety in mind.
"Talk to your kids about being
safe before they go out for Trick-or-Treat night," says Karisa
Harvey, coordinator of Safe kids Central Ohio. "Kids are
excited and running around, so make sure their costume fits so they
won’t fall."
Harvey says other ways to keep your family safe include:
- Making it
easy for drivers to see your family by having kids carry a flashlight or glow
stick, wear light costumes or attach reflective wristbands to their outfits
- Always
walking on sidewalks or paths, and if there are no sidewalks, walk facing
traffic as far to the side as possible.
- Sticking
to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treating in groups.
Additionally, Lucky’s Market is
joining Columbus Public Health to celebrate Halloween activities.
"Families can post fun – and active -- photos on Instagram with
#LuckysMarketColumbus to be entered to win a $20 Lucky’s Market gift card.
For more information, visit Get Active
Columbus at getactivecolumbus.com or on Facebook