Safe Trick-or-treating Advice from Kids’ Docs

Make your home a safe haven for trick-or-treaters by welcoming all the cleverly costumed kids with a well lighted front door entry. Add decorations to make it pretty or spooky – however you want – with pumpkins, scary creatures and jack-o-lanters, and provide safe footing so you can easily fill their bags with goodies. Give away candy or a healthy treat like a box of raisins in an easy-to-reach basket or bowl so kids can grab and go.

It only happens one night a year so make it special for the kids. Invite friends who don’t have trick-or-treaters in their neighborhood to enjoy seeing the kids in costumes. You may want to get in the spirit too and dress up yourself!

The American Academy of Pediatrics has some suggestions for a safe holiday.

• Costumes that are bright and reflective will keep kids visible even on the darkest night. Use reflective tapes so they’re easy to see.
• Masks can block eyesight so think about using non-toxic makeup instead.
• If you’re buying a costume, choose one with a label clearly indicating it is flame retardant.
• Give kids a small flashlight to carry.

To make sure your entrance is well lighted here’s what involved and how much it costs to upgrade the lighting. Install a Porch Lantern

Get kids in the spirit of Halloween with this crossword puzzle Halloween at Home

10 Easy Ways to Age Proof a Home

Rug tape

Thinking about age proofing your home? Here are common sense ideas to make your home an easy place to live whether you’re young or old, able or disabled.  Every home should be accident-proof so it’s a safe haven for everyone who lives there. These are simple solutions to make your home family-friendly so so you can stay in control – and in your home – as you age.

The picture is me with the help of Samantha, our grey tabbly, adding a rug tape to secure a throw rug.

1. Use nightlights in bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways
2. Secure extension and appliance cords to the base shoe molding at the bottom of a wall with u-shaped staples
3. Tame the tangle of home electronic cables and wire with cord managers, covers and cable protectors
4. Remove throw rugs (especially at the top and bottom of a staircase) or secure them with a rug grip or rug tape
5. Install a grab bar in a tub or shower for safe footing
6. Increase bathroom lighting for putting on makeup or reading the tiny print label on medicine
7. Add under-cabinet lighting for chopping food or reading a recipe in the kitchen
8. Add rollout storage shelves in cabinets to easily see what’s inside
9. Add a second hand rail on the wall of a staircase and increase the lighting to assure safe passage
10. Bridge the gap between different floor levels of two rooms by installing a multi-level door threshold reducer so they are level

Visit us at www.diyornot.com to find the cost of 100s of home improvement costs so you can decide to do it yourself or hire a contractor.