4 tips for a safe and fun Easter holiday
In 2016, Easter is commemorated on March 27. This pastel-colored holiday is a special favorite for many children, who often spend the entire day hunting down Easter eggs and enjoying mounds of chocolaty sweets. If you want the happiest Easter possible for your own litter of bunnies, be sure to follow these handy safety tips:
"You may want to consider non-candy options for filling your Easter eggs."
1. Choose the right candy
Candy is a hallmark of almost all Easter celebrations. However, as the University of Texas at San Antonio Police Department explained, certain candies can be a choking hazard for kids of all ages. When purchasing sweets for the big day, avoid anything with nuts or caramel, which some people are allergic to, larger jawbreakers and any treats that are overly sticky. As Baby Center pointed out, you may want to consider non-candy options like stickers, school supplies or just confetti.
2. Forgo the pets
In some households, Easter is just as much about petting a baby rabbit or duckling as it is candy. National Safety Inc. explained that while these animals are cute, they can pose risks for bacterial exposure, especially the harmful salmonella. If you are going to bring such an animal into your home, be sure to monitor everyone and that each person washes his or her hands before and after touching these animals. It's also important that you watch any standard household pets, like dogs and cats, around these cuddly guests.
3. Plan out the hunting grounds
She Knows suggested that you consider a few different options to maximize both fun and safety as you're hiding eggs for the big hunt,. It's important that each egg hunt has clearly established boundaries, which keeps the kids from going places they shouldn't poke around. As the children search for eggs, make sure they don't run, lest they fall and bump their heads. Finally, it's important not to hide eggs where kids might risk injury, like near window sills, trash cans or where pets use the bathroom.
4. Prepare your eggs
Just as kids should be safe when hunting eggs, so too should you take precautions when making or consuming the eggs, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Before handling any eggs, use warm water to wash your hands thoroughly. When storing eggs, never use the refrigerator door; the carton is not only safer but also mitigates exposure to other food items. Never use cracked eggs, which run a higher risk for salmonella. If the eggs stay unrefrigerated for longer than two hours, toss them out right away.
If anyone is injured this Easter, you can be sure to hop over to your nearest CareWell Urgent Care Center. Open during most holidays, CareWell can treat the assorted bumps and bruises caused by egg hunting accidents.