SAFE HALLOWEEN
By Myra Nissen, MA, Certified Homeopath
Halloween is traditionally an exciting time for children. As they choose costumes and anticipate the treats, parents can build guidelines for activities that will keep their children safe. Here are some guidelines for safe Trick-or-Treating, safety tips for homeowners, and homeopathy home care tips.
Trick-or-Treating- Use common sense.
- Plan your route and make sure your family knows what it is, never vary your route
- Be sure children know and understand the rules
- Never trick or treat alone use buddy system
- Young children under 12 stay with an adult or older responsible youth
- Eat a nutritious dinner before going out
- Walk, do not run from house to house, cross the street at corners or in cross walks
- Remove masks when going from house to house
- Be cautious of strangers and unfamiliar animals
- Stay away from jack-o-lanterns
- Bring a flashlight, wear a watch, carry cellular phone and coins for pay phone
- Pin a piece of paper with child’s name, address and phone no, in side pocket of costume
- Treat bags should be sturdy and light colored
- Never eat treats before returning home, have parents check candy before eating
- Consider non-food treats – puzzles, rings, pencils, or stickers
- Put away any trip hazard - ladders, hose, flower pots, lawn ornaments
- Keep all pets inside in a quiet room
- Use battery powered jack-o-lanterns instead of a real flame
- Keep candles away from where trick-or-treaters walk or stand, make sure paper or cloth decorations won’t be blown into flaming candle
- Allow adequate outdoor lighting
- Make costumes from reused or recycled materials
- Use light colored fabric and add strips of reflective tape
- Costumes should be loose so warm clothing can be worn underneath
- Practical shoes are a must
- Make costume materials that are naturally flame retardant such as wool, hemp, and silk
- Accessories such as knives, swords, etc. should be made from cardboard or flexible material
- Avoid any sharp objects
- Pet costumes can be dangerous for animals - it is safer not to use them
The following homeopathic remedies are useful to have on hand: Arnica , Arsenicum, Calendula, Hypericum, Ipecacuanha, Nux-Vomica, Ledum, and Phosphorus. Potencies for remedies should 6C to 30C and no higher. One dose should be enough. On dose is one pellet under the tongue. A remedy can be repeated in 2 hours only if needed. Arnica cream or gel, Caldenula lotion, as well as the Bach Flower remedies Rescue Remedy and Rescue Remedy Sleep are also helpful. If you have questions, check with your local health food store.
Tummy Aches
- Soda cracker or bread eaten slowly
- Club Soda or Seltzer Water
- Vomiting, diarrhea or constipation with straining, irritable and over sensitive to surroundings try Nux-Vomica 30C - ALSO if your dog eats chocolate bar and gets sick.
- Food poisoning, restless, chilly, vomiting with burning tummy, and diarrhea, thirst for small sips try Arsenicum Album 30C.
- Uncontrolled vomiting, unrelieved by vomiting try Ipecacuanha 12C
- Relax, your child is home safe
- Calm child before going to bed
- Brush teeth
- Try water, or warm milk, or what child desires
- Rescue Remedy Sleep
- Rescue Remedy
- Rescue Remedy
- Aconite 30C
- Arnica 30C
- Arnica 30C
- Arnica cream or gel topically
- Ledum for black eyes
- Hypericum for a fall on the tail bone, blows to finger, toe tips or soles of feet
- Clean skin with soap and water, apply
- If severe give, give Calendula 12C orally
- If bleeding, give Arnica 30C
- Small wounds that bleed a lot try Phosphorus 30C
- Mild burns, apply Calendula lotion
- Clean puncture wounds then give Ledum 12C
This article is informational and not meant to treat or diagnose. The use of Homeopathy should not take the place of professional medical care. If you have any questions about your health or your child’s, seek immediate medical attention from a professional.
Myra Nissen, MA Certified Homeopath Wellness Arts Center Benicia, California 707-750-4455 www.myranissen.com
Myra is a practitioner and instructor at Elephant Pharm, Walnut Creek, CA
