Halloween Danger

What is the biggest danger for kids this Halloween? It's not unsafe candy. It's getting burned so badly they have to go to the emergency room! MediaSource sent me this information about a recent survey at Nationwide Children's Hospital. I am glad I read it. The tips may be obvious, but they are good reminder!
While Halloween burn hazards aren’t going away anytime soon, there is some good news: according to a recent study in the November issue of Pediatrics, the number of kids getting burned is going down over time.

The bad news: toddlers and kids under 6 are still being burned at alarming rates. The study, one of the largest on pediatric burns to date and conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, reports that burns in toddlers and kids under 6 account for more than half of all injuries.

The study also found that hands and fingers are most frequently injured, followed by the head and face. Experts at Nationwide Children’s encourage parents to keep the following tips in mind to keep their kids safe and burn-free this Halloween:
-Choose costume accessories and props keeping in mind that all items should be flame resistant. Avoid long, flowing sleeves that could get caught in candles and light on fire.
-Use candles with caution around children and supervise children around candles at all times. -Use long fireplace matches when lighting candles and keep pumpkins away from combustible materials.

Nationwide Children's Hospital burn research

Are your kids' Halloween costumes flame resistant? I am going upstairs to look at mine. I didn't think about it until just now. Yikes!
I do think I have talked my 6-year old into using lights from the dollar store for our jack-o-lantern instead of candles! He is not easily convinced to this is a big success for me to do this without a fight!

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Halloween Candy Recall

There is an email circulating saying those gold coins that are typically handed out for Halloween may contain the chemical Melamine, which is what has caused many infant deaths in China.

It looks like this email is TRUE! However, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the coins containing Melamine were not sold in the U.S. Still, I think I will avoid those little treats when my son dumps out his candy bag. Yikes!

Here's the press release:

October 8, 2008 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume, distribute, or sell the Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins described below. This product is being recalled due to positive test results for melamine conducted by the CFIA.

The affected product, Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins, is sold in 840g containers containing 240 pieces per container bearing UPC 0 36077 11240 7 and lot code 1928S1.

This product is sold nationally through Costco stores and may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores across Canada. If the original product identity and UPC code is not evident, consumers are advised to check with their retailer to determine if they have the affected product.

Retailers and distributors are advised to stop distributing Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins and to initiate a voluntary recall of this product. The CFIA will be working with the importers to remove the affected product from the marketplace.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Although the health risk associated with these products is considered to be low, the advisory is being issued as a result of the Government of Canada’s ongoing investigation into milk and milk-derived products sourced in/from China that may have been distributed in Canada.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall. Melamine is a chemical compound used in a number of commercial and industrial applications. Canada does not allow its use as a food ingredient.

Here's another story on dangerous candy from the AP:

American candy companies Mars and Hershey say their candy is safe to eat after Cadbury discovered the industrial chemical melamine in some of its Chinese-made chocolates.The Hershey Co. said Monday it has never purchased milk ingredients, including powdered milk, from China.

Mars North America said in a statement that its operations in China do not get any ingredients from companies found to be selling melamine-contaminated dairy products. It says the Chinese food-safety agency tested samples of Mars China's milk powder suppliers and found them to be free of melamine.

Mars makes Snickers and M&Ms. Hershey makes Hershey's Kisses and Reese's brands. Cadbury announced Monday that it is recalling 11 types of Chinese-made chocolates that were found to contain melamine.

What are your thoughts on candy this Halloween? Can you believe it's tomorrow? Where has this month gone?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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