Deborah Howell (Host): Welcome to Weekly Dose of Wellness brought to you by Memorial Care. I'm your host, Deborah Howell. Today we have a very special guest Jennifer or Jen Rodriguez who's an injury prevention coordinator. Jen, a Long Beach native is not just a certified passenger seat technician but but also a basic life support instructor with Miller Children and Women's Hospital in Long beach. Her commitment lies in empowering families in the community with essential knowledge on preventative childhood safety. And today we're going to talk about celebrating Halloween safely. Hi Jen, and welcome back.

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Hi Deborah. Nice to be back.

Host: All right let's dive in because we have a lot to cover. So what are some common safety concerns parents should be aware of as Halloween approaches?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: First and foremost, the most important thing we want to stress is safety especially because dark 30 is coming up you know when it starts getting dark at five o'clock in the afternoon. Visibility is our biggest concern especially when it comes to the little ones making sure that they're visible to pedestrians and especially automotive on vehicles.

Having flashlights or glow sticks especially if their costumes are dark, some kind of reflector, something that makes sure that people can see them and they can be seen.

Host: Absolutely. Correct. What tips can you provide for ensuring children's costumes are safe and functional?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Well first and foremost, you want to make sure that the costume isn't something that's dragging or that when it comes to masks that it's something that doesn't limit their vision so if you can paint their face that's preferred. It's something that's a safe non toxic face paint. But if you see that it has a mask that's limiting the way where they can see, their vision, it's better not to use it. When it comes to costumes, if they're dragging pin them so that way it lowers the risk of tripping or falling.

Host: Right, right. I'm interested now of course in the mean streets of Halloween. We've all walked them as kids. How can parents effectively manage trick or treating routes to maximize safety?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: So when it comes to the routes and the safety, go into the neighborhoods that you're familiar with. I know there's people are like, oh, let's go visit a new one. If you are, scope it out beforehand because you want to make sure that you know what's around there, if the sidewalks are uneven, if there's any alleys or anything making sure that you're staying on the sidewalk but preferably a neighborhood that you're familiar with, someone that you know that your kiddos know, so that way they feel safe.

Host: Now, it's not for everybody so are there innovative alternatives you can recommend for families who may want to avoid traditional trick or treating?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Yes of course. So luckily with a lot of the community events they'll have Trunk R Treats, or pumpkin patch you can go to pumpkin patches where they have their own Halloween events, if just the traditional walking around the streets and trick or treating from house to house isn't your thing, you can always go for that. I know certain parks hold Trunk R Treats which is in a certain area. They have different types of games also like I mentioned with the pumpkin patch areas you can go there and it just stays in that same area or also some theme parks as well offer an alternative in the same area of trick or treating.

Host: Right. And it's especially good for people who have kids that are transitioning from you know uh, am I too old for trick or treating? How can I

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Yes, definitely definitely.

Host: All right can you share us some insights on ensuring candy safety during Halloween?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: So when it comes to candy safety, of course you always want to inspect your candy. Doesn't matter how old your little one is, or your older one is, always inspecting the candy beforehand. You can do it together. Lay it all out checking it, making sure that wrappers are not tampered with, if it looks open, if it's homemade, unfortunately just toss it.

You never know. You don't want to have that risk of it being open and your child's getting sick. Looking to see and make sure that all the wrappers are sealed and just going through all of it. I know especially this is the best part for the kiddos because they get to see how much candy they make. So make it a fun game out of it like. Hey, if you do see something funny with the candy, pick it out to the side and that way we can definitely go through a more in depth inspection because that way, parents are not seen as a bad guy because automatically the littles ones are like but it's my candy and it's like well how about you help me and check it to make sure it's all nice and good?

Host: Right, because, you know, then you'll see what you have and you can start the all important trading situation like two Bit o Honey for one Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Yeah. It's always the best part.

Host: How should parents teach their kids about stranger safety when out for Halloween?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: This is a very big topic especially when it comes to the little ones or even kids that are getting older who think they're too old or too cool to go trick or treating with an adult. Having that conversation of you know if an adult approaches you and they're a stranger; avoiding conversations, avoiding going with any strangers. Same Thing goes for when you're planning your route, you know stopping at houses that are well lit, that's somebody, like I said, someone that's familiar don't ever go into a stranger's home or a garage or a car. Having those safety conversations beforehand. Also if you're trick or treating in a group, who are the designated adults okay, we are with Bobby's mom and Susie's dad.

All right. Here we go. And then a big thing, many years working at camp was something that's called the camper sandwich, the adult being in the front and in the back and then the little ones in the middle so it's to make like a barrier.

Host: Oh, I Love that. That's a great idea. Camper sandwich. I'm going to add that to my list. All right we touched on this earlier, but it's so important I'm going to ask again. What role does visibility play in Halloween safety especially with costumes and decorations?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: So for visibility, biggest thing is being lit up. Reflectors on costumes. Some reflectors are like tape so it doesn't mess up the costume. You could put it like around their legs, put it on their legs, on their arms. Anything that's glowing, anything that is a light something that flashes, something that makes sure that pedestrians and cars can see you. Having a flashlight. Not just a phone flashlight some people are like, oh I'll just use my phone you know just having an in hand flashlight or a headlamp and making sure the batteries work and are new because, you don't want to be walking around trick or treating and the batteries run out in your flashlight and then you have to go home early.

Host: Exactly. Spoils all the fun. All right, speaking of sandwiches and such can you discuss the importance of supervision during Halloween festivities?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Supervision is definitely a big thing. Making sure that again, even if you're going to an event; making sure that you're staying in a group together if let's say little ones are getting on a ride having one parent on the entrance, one parent in the exit. Making sure that you're always watching your kiddos. I know lots of families when they do go from house to house trick or treating like, Oh, let me check my phone really quickly while they walk up to the house put your phone away. Making sure you're always having that eye on your kiddos and making sure they go, grab what they need to grab from the trick or treater and come back.

Host: Grab and say, thank you.

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Yeah. Grab and say thank you. Stay off the grass.

Host: Okay, Jen, are there specific hazards related to Halloween decorations that families should be cautious about?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: So when it comes to decorations, one of the biggest things is tripping you know just especially if they have those fog machines, sometimes it's so hard to see where you're going or even go through that fog. Just little by little and having those flashlights and those lights do help. Making sure where you're going watching where you're stepping.

Some Halloween decorations can look pretty sharp and you can think about staying away from those because I've seen houses are just completely immersive experiences and sometimes you just kind of like, nah, that one doesn't look so safe let's avoid that one.

Host: Or the really long sloping driveways all the way down to a dark house, yeah, no, no, no thank you.

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Yeah. Some that are just set up to look like landmines. They have like so many things on the floor I get it it's amazingly decorated but it's like if I have to hop over five pumpkins and a zombie to get candy, I don't know.

Host: Not Worth. it. Okay, so speaking of such things. What advice do you have for setting up a safe environment for Halloween parties?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: First if you are having all kinds of decorations, having some lights on the floor. I know there's specific lights that do turn on and just aim specifically towards that floor so that way you know exactly where you're going, where you're stepping.

When it comes to the outside decorations, if there are lights, having some areas also that are pretty well lit because you never know somebody just wants a break from all the lights and everything. And having things labeled. If the party's outside and you have to go inside for the bathroom, a clear sign hey the bathroom's this way.

Host: Okay. I know kids just want to talk about candy and costumes but how can families engage their children in safety discussions ahead of Halloween?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: When engaging the kiddos for the safety discussions when it comes to Halloween; having that conversation beforehand. If you have a map or you can even just look at a map on a computer like okay, this is where we are this is where we live this is where we're going this is our route, who we're visiting.

Also talking about when it comes to safety like crossing the street when walking on the sidewalk if you see the sidewalk's a little broken hey, step over to the side don't try to hop over anything. If you are crossing a street, talking to the kiddos and say about the importance of stopping, looking both ways, looking again and making sure if there is a driver coming up making that eye contact, a wave, they completely stop before you proceed to walking onto crossing the street.

Host: And maybe have a plan in case somebody gets left behind. Okay, if someone gets lost we're going to meet up at the Rodriguez's driveway.

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Yes definitely, definitely an emergency plan if you get lost like, that's why it's so important to plan it out to be in a neighborhood that you know, with people you know so that way, you know, okay, you know, what, we're meeting at the Rodriguez house. If you do get lost, you talk to an adult or meet up there and then go to the Rodriguez house and let Ms. Rodriguez know, Hey, you know what, I got lost, can you call my parents?

Host: Exactly. Perfect Okay. It's much easier with cell phones. We never had that.

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Yes cell phones definitely make things a lot more accessible.

Host: Yeah, for sure. Okay. Are there any resources or tools available for families looking to enhance their Halloween safety practices?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: I believe if you look up any kind of videos or anything like that on our website at the MemorialCareMillers website we do have flyers that go over the safety information as well as on our blog, that talks exactly what we just went over; how to keep safe, how to have that conversation especially like I said, when it comes to like kids getting older. Around twelve years old is when they're like, you know what, I want to go by myself. And it's a lot harder because parents think, oh, it's okay. They're grown. But still having that really important safety conversation.

Host: So how can community involvement contribute to safer Halloween experiences for everyone?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Definitely with the community involvement, everyone being on the same page, everyone knowing like these little tips and tricks, having your house lit up. But you know what if you don't want trick or treaters to visit you or you don't celebrate Halloween, having your lights off or some kind of sign like hey you know what not this house please go to the next house. Because lots of people are just like oh, well let me go knock on the door if the lights are off. Like you know what, if the lights are off and everything's kind of quiet let's skip it go to the next one.

Host: Okay, I just have a couple more for you. Are there common misconceptions about Halloween safety that you'd like to clear up?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: For me, the biggest misconception that I've noticed is a lot of people think oh well, their kids are pretty independent, they have a phone. Oh, they can go. And it's just like no going as a group, security in numbers, going in a big group, having that visibility, the flashlights, the glow sticks lots of people are just like, oh but they want to wear the mask, but again if it's gonna alter their visibility and it's hard for them to walk around, it's better to just not wear it.

Some people are like, oh, if you do have a plan like. Oh well they're gonna go with the neighbor because having a plan planning is preventative and planning safety is the biggest thing, like having the neighbor's phone number just in case, here's my phone number. That way having that open communication and also if is an ouchie, if somebody trips, somebody hurts themselves, knowing what to do. Having a plan for that too. Like who are we calling? Do you have a first aid kit? First aid kits now come in pocket size you can carry band aids and put a little alcohol septic towelettes in a Ziploc bag as simple as that. Just being ready for anything that can happen.

Host: Absolutely. Finally, what can families do post Halloween to continue the conversation about safety?

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: I know this is something that I would do when I would take my nephews and nieces trick or treating is having like a regroup. Like hey what did you guys see? How can we make this better? What can we plan and surprisingly the kiddos see a lot more than we do and I think it's just because it's at their level where they notice things. Definitely continuing that conversation and going into like oh remember when we went trick or treating and we had to wear the lights at nighttime when we went outside walking. Same thing you know we still have to wear them because even though we're not trick or treating anymore we still have to have that visibility especially at night.

Host: Well Jen, we so appreciate your time and everything you do to help keep our families safe and sound year round thanks so much for being with us today.

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Of course it was a pleasure. Thank you guys for having me.

Host: Happy Halloween.

Jennifer Rodriguez, CIMI, CPST: Happy Halloween!

Host: And as we wrap up, I want to thank you for tuning in to Weekly Dose of Wellness. If you're looking for more Halloween safety tips, don't forget to visit MillerChildrens.org/injuryprevention. Join us next week for more insightful discussions aimed at supporting your journey to better health.

That's all for this time. I'm Deborah Howell. Have yourself a terrific day.