Hey Mom - Can I Have Another "Candy?"

Soon your doorbell will ring and a chorus of "Trick or Treat" will greet you and the big bowl of candy you carry. Later on that night your "monsters" will bring home their treats and the ritual of going through all the candy begins. After picking out your few favorites (don't you do that?) watch where you store the booty.

A study performed by two elementary students with the help of two health professionals found that more than 1 in 4 kids could not tell the difference between medicine and candy. Thirty random kindergarten students and 30 teachers were asked to pick out the candy. The students were successful 71% of the time and the teachers 78%. All participants were asked how medicines were stored in the house. Unfortunately many did not store their medication properly. Ask any pediatrician or ED physician about accidental ingestions - many accidents could have been prevented if the medication was stored properly.

What does it mean to store properly? Keep medications in a cool and dry place. That means NOT in the bathroom. The area should also NOT be in a child's easy reach. Even consider locking the area for best protection. Some of my patients have ingested medication left out for other family members or found grandma's anti-hypertensive medication in a purse and mistaken it for a candy treat.

But back to Halloween safety. Put on those jackets (both you and your witch or superhero!) and walk with them. Take your flashlights and stay in neighborhoods you are familiar with. HAVE FUN!!

Speaking of fun? - Do you think you can pick out the candy or medicine? Test your ability at http://www.pillsvscandy.org/. This quiz is from the California Poison Control Systems.

Dr. Lisa Gold is a pediatrician practicing in Crown Point, Indiana, at North Point Pediatrics.