If you’re planning on taking your child trick-or-treating or if you want to give them treats at home, here are some candy safety precautions you should take:

1. Give your child a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating - this will discourage filling up on Halloween treats.

2. Keep an eye on what your child has in his or her mouth at all times while on the trick-or-treat trail. Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, it can happen. 

3. Examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious items. Is your child under 5? Here are some of the candies they should avoid due to chocking hazard.

4. Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween. If you keep candy guidelines realistic, consistent, and positive, your Halloween is less likely to be about arguing or controlling candy. Get tips for taming your child's sweet tooth here. 

5. A teal pumpkin in front of a house means the homeowner is offering the option of nonfood trinkets and toys in a separate bowl to make Halloween safer and more inclusive for all trick-or-treaters. The following are some suggested nonfood items to give kids - glow sticks, spider rings, vampire fangs, pencils, bubbles, bouncy balls, finger puppets, whistles, bookmarks, stickers and stencils.

6. Always read the ingredient label on any treat your child receives. Many popular Halloween candies contain some of the most common allergens, such as peanuts or tree nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat.

7. If the ingredients aren't listed, arrange for a treat "exchange" with classmates or friends. Or, bag up the goodies your child can't eat, and leave them with a note asking the "Treat Fairy" to swap them for a prize.

8. Be aware that even if they are not listed on the ingredient label, candies (both chocolate and non-chocolate) are at high risk of containing trace amounts of common allergy triggers. “Fun size” or miniature candies may have different ingredients.

9. Teach your child to politely turn down home-baked items such as cupcakes and brownies, and never to taste or share another child's food.

Additional Information: American Academy of Pediatrics