Will Swine Flu Fears Ruin Halloween?

With Halloween around the corner, anxious parents are expressing concerns about the risks their children could face while trick-or-treating. A recent 60 Minutes television show indicated that Swine Flu is indeed spreading quickly and high risk groups include young children.

Even though we had our own Swine Flu scare (found here) and learned about possible accuracies of Swine Flu Trackers, we wouldn't let that get in the way of Halloween. Yes, cases seem to be spreading (most recently, there have been two more H1N1 deaths in Indiana).

Swine Flu Risks and Halloween

So does this mean that parents have to keep their children home on Halloween or give sway to Swine Flu phobia? There doesn't really seem a point to that. Even with a rise in cases in some areas, most instances of Swine Flu are mild and only a reported one percent are truly serious....figures low enough to allow Halloween to go on as planned. If your children still go to school (if schools are open), play sports and live normal lives, there is no reason why Halloween and trick-or-treating shouldn't be a part of the mix.

Even so, it can't hurt to take some common sense precautions to keep Swine Flu risks at a minimum on Halloween night.

Have Swine Flu Fears? Halloween Safety Tips Should Keep H1N1 Risks at Bay

A little information can truly go a long way in preventing the spread of Swine Flu on Halloween night. Stock up on the right products, pay attention to the health of your children and those who come to your door and make sure your children take - and you or others hand out - candy properly and odds could be in your child's favor that Halloween will be fun and safe.

Swine flu precautions include wiping down doors, handles and other objects that are commonly touched. On Halloween, frequently touched objects are likely to include exterior door handles as well as doorbells. To minimize the spread of germs, use a product which is effective against Swine Flu and wipe down those handles and doorbells frequently.

Clorox has many products which could be used on Halloween night to prevent the spread of both the common flu and Swine flu. They have tips for using them here as well as basic facts about the flu.

Fight Swine Flu Risks on Halloween by Avoiding Homemade or Loose Candy or Goodies

While it might be less expensive to make goodies for those who are trick-or-treating on Halloween night, parents aren't likely to be happy with loose candy. Go with bagged and wrapped candies or treats and consider options to candy.

H1N1 Risks Can be Lessened By Keeping Children from Reaching into Halloween Candy Bowls or Baskets

As children go from door to door, let those handing out candy drop the goodies into your children's bags. No, you won't know if other children have put their hands in the candy bowl but (hopefully) those dispensing the candy will discourage them from doing so.

Pregnant? Step away from the door on Halloween night. Pregnant women, asthmatic and those with suppressed immune systems should not be handing out Halloween candy due to their heightened risks of contracting Swine Flu.

If your child has a cough and you think it is "just a cold", err on the side of safety and avoid going out that night. Those with Swine Flu can be contagious for up to two days before actual symptoms arise - and as long as seven days after becoming symptom free.

Make Sure You Know Where to Get Flu Shots

My husband got his at Costco but was among the lucky few who got one of the last three shots available that day. Consider the possibility that flu shots may be scarcer - or lines may be long - as Halloween gets closer. Walmart is also offering flu shots.

Finally, remember that Halloween Swine Flu precautions don't end when children arrive home. Make sure they wash their hands and don't keep reaching into the bags of their friends or even their siblings.

Sources:

Flu Shot Clinics: flushotsusa.walmart.com

Costco flu shots: www.costco.com

60 Minutes video, October 18

Our Indiana Swine Flu Scare Reveals Potential H1N1 Tracking Inaccuracies, Associated Content, October 6, 2009.

www.clorox.com/