Kids, Swine Flu and Trick-or-Treatingby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 31 Oct 2009 07:50 AM My friend's young children will be missing out on trick-or-treating this year. Thank you swine flu. Actually, one of her kids has chicken pox and the other has swine flu-like symptoms, but has not yet been tested for H1N1. Regardless, I won't be taking my daughter to their home for treats this Halloween. In fact, I wondered if my pal intended to hand out candy to costumed beggars today given that her home is contaminated. She is. I suppose, how would parents know whether or not their child is knocking on the door of a swine flu infested house, and taking candy from a potentially infected individual? Getting swine flu from holiday candy... that very well may be the ultimate Halloween trick. It's a problem health experts are trying to avoid. Health officials nationwide put out alerts this week regarding swine flu and trick-or-treating. Experts are recommending that sick homeowners place a sign on their doors warning trick-or-treaters that candy won't be given out this year. (Though, they don't mention what bedridden residents should do to prevent retaliative TP-ing or egging incidents.) In addition, since the H1N1 virus can live on objects and be contracted by handling an infected item, then touching your nose or mouth, health officials are suggesting that parents distribute Halloween treats instead of allowing costumed children to use their grubby hands to grab treats out of candy bowls themselves. Health experts note that by using this distribution method, one infected child won't turn a single candy bowl into a swine flu stew. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swine flu can also be spread through coughing or sneezing, so parents take note: Have your little monsters steer clear of airborne germs and sanitize your child's Halloween mask if he is hacking up a lung. Health officials also recommend that you not purchase costumes that don't come wrapped in plastic. If you can't find a hermetically sealed Halloween costume, consider buying a getup that can be machine-washed in very hot water to kill any bacteria that may have gotten on it at the store. Finally, since children are at a high risk of catching swine flu, and younger kids are more susceptible to serious complications, parents should arm themselves with hand sanitizer or anti-bacterial wipes while trick-or-treating. Then, when you get home, have your kids wash their hands thoroughly before allowing them to attack their Halloween haul. How is the swine flu affecting your Halloween plans? Related Articles: What To Do With Your Kid's Gross Halloween Candy? Halloween Candy Your Kid Gets and You Throw Out Will Eating Halloween Candy Turn Your Kid Into a Killer? Halloween, the Economy and Your Family Do Your Teens Still Go Trick-or-Treating? Parental Bargaining on Halloween Parents Who Don't Give Out Candy on Halloween Halloween Candy Competition Among Parents Halloween Candy-Yours, Mine, Ours Parents and Halloween: Scary Stuff! Halloween and Young Children: Trick or Treat? Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantparenting tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Discuss this article
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