Protect Kids from Swine Flu on "H1N1 Halloween"
What and When to Teach Trick-or-Treaters In a Year of Flu Epidemic
Oct 27, 2009
Halloween is a wonderful, fun-scary time for kids. But every few years there's a real health scare associated with Halloween such as candy laced with poison or packed with razors. Halloween 2009 is a time when, unfortunately, the risk is an epidemic of a potentially very serious flu, H1N1 or "swine flu." So, in a season of heightened concern, what can parents do to protect their own children from the H1N1 risk? Look for teachable moments.
What to Tell Trick or Treating Kids about Halloween and Avoiding the "Swine" H1N1 Flu
Remember, the important thing from a health perspective isn't the costume or Halloween candy, but the educational moment the holiday affords parents to communicate potentially life-saving health information. For the best updated information, see the CDC's website, www.flu.gov.
Here are some tips for helping your kids stay healthy this Halloween:
- Enlist them in their own well-being. Communicate what people can do to try to stay healthy.
- Practice handwashing for 20 seconds. Make handwashing into a game. Explain how and when to do it (more often than they think).
- Explain how the flu virus gets transmitted, and practice how to use a tissue when sneezing or coughing, or how to sneeze into one's sleeve if necessary.
- Discuss Halloween candy guidelines for health, safety and H1N1 prevention, too.
- Discuss the importance of not sharing bites of food or drinks, and of not biting their fingernails.
- Tell them not to hide it if they or their friends are feeling sick or feverish, or have aches associated with the flu. If they are in fact sick on Halloween, keep them home, and be prepared to deal with their disappointment by having a little Halloween-at-home party.
- Stay away from very crowded situations if people are coughing and sneezing, if at all possible. The H1N1 virus is airborne, and so sitting in a packed movie theater may not be the healthiest thing to do.
Also, to avoid frightening young children, use common sense and don't overdo the fear factor. Reassure the child that while it's unpleasant to get the flu, they will recover. Meanwhile, contact the physician immediately, because the symptoms of the flu and the swine flu are the same.
When to Tell Kids about H1N1 Flu Prevention: Before and During Halloween
Parents and teachers can find many "teachable moments" in discussing Halloween. For instance, talk to the kids about flu prevention when they are discussing their costumes, trying them on, or making them. Another moment is when buying and putting out the Halloween candy or non-candy treats. This is the perfect time to discuss not sharing food or drink, taking only wrapped candies, and to urge the children to take stickers, pencils, and other non-sweet treats. And, at the risk of being a nag, remind them all over again on Halloween night itself, because kids won't be thinking about healthy practices when all that fun awaits.
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