Keeping Your Child Safe During Trick or Treat

Trick or treat times for Halloween 2022

HealthyChildren.org suggests the following safety tips for Costumes:

  • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Make sure that shoes fit well, and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame.
  • Look for “flame resistant” on the costume labels. Wigs and accessories should also clearly indicate this.
  • Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives to masks. Makeup should be tested ahead of time on a small patch of your child’s skin to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises or allergic reactions on the big day. Toxic ingredients have been found in cosmetics marketed to teens and tweens.
  • Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes and blocking vision.
  • Avoid any sharp or long swords, canes, or sticks as a costume accessory. Your child can easily be hurt by these accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.
  • Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” getting decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.

collage of three photos showing a young child smiling with an orange pumpkin painted on her face, candy corn, and a woman being properly examined and fitted for colored contact lenses

The National Safety Council  states “Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year”. They also give the following tips to keep kids safe while trick or treating:

  • A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you
  • Agree on a specific time children should return home
  • Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car
  • Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends
  • Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies
  • Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street
The USFDA suggests the following safety tips for Treats:

Eating sweet treats is also a big part of Halloween fun. If you’re concerned about food safety, there are some things you should know.

Before you or your children go trick-or-treating, remember these tips:

  • Don’t eat candy until it has been inspected at home.
  • Eat a snack before heading out to avoid the temptation of nibbling on a treat before it has been inspected.
  • In case of a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Tell children not to accept—or eat—anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.
  • Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys from the Halloween bags.
  • Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

closeup photo of candy corn

According to Travel Butler County, Ohio, the 2022 Trick-or-Treat Schedule is as follows:

Fairfield – 10/31, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Hamilton – 10/31, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Liberty Township – 10/31, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Madison Township – 10/31, 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Middletown – 10/31, 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Monroe – 10/31, 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Oxford – 10/31, 5:00PM – 7:00PM

Trenton – 10/31, 5:30PM-7:00PM

West Chester – 10/31, 6:00PM – 8:00PM

101,531 Trick Or Treaters Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock

Not enough baby formula means plenty of scammers

Originally posted by the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice Consumer Alert

Also available in Spanish at:  https://consumidor.ftc.gov/alertas-para-consumidores/2022/05/cuando-hay-escasez-de-leche-de-formula-para-bebes-hay-abundancia-de-estafadores

Avoid baby formula scammers

 

Scammers exploiting the high demand for baby formula have sunk to new lows. They’re popping up online and tricking desperate parents and caregivers into paying steep prices for formula that never arrives.

Scammers may set up fake websites or profiles on social media platforms with product images and logos of well-known formula brands — all to make you think you’re buying products from the companies’ official websites.

Before you order from an unfamiliar online store, follow this advice from the Federal Trade Commission to help avoid a scam and find help:

  • Check out the company or product by typing its name in a search engine with terms like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” See what other people say about it.
  • Consider how you pay. Credit cards often give you the strongest protections, so you can sometimes get your money back if you ordered something but didn’t get it. But anyone who demands payment by gift card, money transfer, or cryptocurrency is a scammer.
  • Know your rights. When you shop online, sellers are supposed to ship your order within the time stated in their ads, or within 30 days if the ads don’t give a time. If a seller can’t ship within the promised time, it has to give you a revised shipping date, with the chance to either cancel your order for a full refund or accept the new shipping date.
  • Search for local resources. Call your pediatrician to see if they have formula in stock. Pediatricians often get samples of different formulas and may be able to help. If you are a participant in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance program, contact your local office to find formula.

If you suspect a scam, you may report it here: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your reports help the FTC and our law enforcement partners stop scammers.

Nurturing Children by Engaging Fathers

This free program helps educate fathers about child development and provides strategies for improved communication and developmentally appropriate interactions with child.

Please register for your FREE activity kit by contacting OSU Extension Educator Heather Reister at reister.6@osu.edu

The kits are available during  the annual Pathway to Hope Fatherhood picnic on Sunday, June 12 from 2 – 4 p.m. Participants will receive information on how to best use the activity kit during a Zoom meeting held on Monday, June 21 at 5:00 p

How to discuss Bullying with your child

What is it?

Bully on school bus pulling girl's braids

According to StopBullying.org, “Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.”

There are different types of bullying
The CDC states that although not all bullying is physical, any type of bullying can cause damage to a person
  • Physical such as hitting, kicking, and tripping
  • Verbal including name-calling and teasing
  • Relational/social such as spreading rumors and leaving out of the group
  • Damage to property of the victim
  • Cyberbullying occurs through technology and often includes making fun, name calling and recruiting others to join in

What to say to your child

It can be difficult to know what to say to your child if he/she is being bullied. According to KidsHealth these strategies are effective ways to deal with bullies:

Ignore the bully. If you can, try your best to ignore the bully’s threats. Pretend you don’t hear them and walk away quickly to a place of safety. Bullies want a big reaction to their teasing and meanness. Acting as if you don’t notice and don’t care is like giving no reaction at all, and this just might stop a bully’s behavior.

Stand up for yourself. Pretend to feel really brave and confident. Tell the bully “No! Stop it!” in a loud voice. Then walk away, or run if you have to. Kids also can stand up for each other by telling a bully to stop teasing or scaring someone else, and then walking away together. If a bully wants you to do something that you don’t want to do, say “no!” and walk away. If you do what a bully says to do, the mean kid is more likely to keep bullying you. Bullies tend to pick on kids who don’t stick up for themselves.

Don’t bully back. Don’t hit, kick, or push back to deal with someone bullying you or your friends. Fighting back just satisfies a bully and it’s dangerous, too, because someone could get hurt. You’re also likely to get in trouble. It’s best to stay with others, stay safe, and get help from an adult.

Don’t show your feelings. Plan ahead. How can you stop yourself from getting angry or showing you’re upset? Try distracting yourself (counting backwards from 100, spelling the word ‘turtle’ backwards, etc.) to keep your mind occupied until you are out of the situation and somewhere safe where you can show your feelings.

Bully stats

Why do they do it?

The most common reason for bullying is seeking attention.  Bullies believe that by making someone else feel small, they look big or important.  They feel powerful when they have control.

It is also important to realize that some kids who bully have been exposed to bullying and are simply modeling that behavior.  They may live in a home where there is violence and have been bullied themselves.  These children may need help to realize that their behavior is hurtful and inappropriate.

Group shaming tearful child

Where to go to learn more

If your child is being bullied at school, you should contact your school’s representative (teacher, principal, counselor, superintendent etc.).  You can also find help at these websites:

https://www.schoolsafety.gov/bullying-and-cyberbullying
/https://www.childhelp.org/
https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/ohio

Resources

CDC Fast Fact: Preventing Bullying, September 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/bullyingresearch/fastfact.html

Dealing with Bullies, https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/bullies.html?ref=search

What is Bullying?, April 2021, https://www.stopbullying.gov/

https://www.schoolsafety.gov/bullying-and-cyberbullying

National Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 30, 2022 – 10:00 AM till 2: 00 PM

DEA National Rx Takeback

DEA National Rx Takeback

National Drug Take Back Day provides a safe and convenient way to dispose of prescription & over the counter drugs.

National Drug Take Back Day is this month — Saturday, April 30, 2022 – 10:00 AM till 2: 00 PM
Visit www.dea.gov to search for a location near you or call 1-800-882-0539 for a collection site near you.

Information about home disposal of over-the-counter and safe disposal of e-cigarette and vaping devices is here:  https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html

Specific information below is for  Butler County for disposal of prescription drugs any time of the year.  

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
24-hour drug drop boxes are available seven days a week in the lobby of these police departments, except for Miami University.  NO syringes, lancets, liquids or inhalants.

City of Fairfield – 5230 Pleasant Avenue – 513-829-8201
Monroe – 601 S. Main Street – 513-539-9234
City of Oxford Police – 101 E. High Street – 513-524-5240
Miami University – 4945 Oxford Trenton Road, (M-F, 9 – 4:30) 513-529-2222

Walgreens 24 Hour Pharmacies
Middletown – 700 S. Breiel Blvd.  Phone 513-425-8702
Tri-County – 385 Northland Blvd. Phone 513-825-6446

CVS 24 Hour Pharmacies
28 N. Brookwood Avenue, Hamilton – 513-863-8906
7217 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd., West Chester – 513-759-3301
820 Breiel Blvd., Middletown – 513-424-4911

Meijer Stores now have in-store kiosks that are available during pharmacy hours to drop off your unused/expired prescription or over the counter medications.

Follow these FDA guidelines when disposing of unused medications
https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm101653.htm

Visit www.rxdrugdropbox.org for a full list of pharmaceutical collection points.

 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental SciencesThe Ohio State University Extension

Butler County Parent Connection

You can help stop the cycle

It is Child Abuse Prevention Month! 

The best way to stop the cycle of child abuse and neglect is through investing in strong communities, healthy families and safe children. Ohio’s Children’s Trust Fund does just that. In fact, their mission is dedicating public funding for child abuse and neglect prevention.  You can learn more about Parent Resources on the OCTF website.

Ohio Children's Trust Fund

 

Child smiling at adult

According to the Mayo Clinic, these factors may increases a person’s risk for abusing a child.

  • A history of being abused or neglected as a child
  • Physical or mental illness, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Family crisis or stress, including domestic violence and other marital conflicts, or single parenting
  • A child in the family who is developmentally or physically disabled
  • Financial stress, unemployment or poverty
  • Social or extended family isolation
  • Poor understanding of child development and parenting skills
  • Alcohol, drugs or other substance abuse

Protective Factors If you are afraid you may hurt a child, there is help.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, make sure your child is safe and walk away.

Recognizing your feelings is the first step to prevent them harm.

These resources are available to help you.  You are not alone.

  • Call your doctor or therapist.  These healthcare providers can help you find immediate help.  They call also refer you to resources that might be useful, such as parent education classes, counseling, or support groups.
  • Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.  This 24/7 hotline can be reached at 800-4-A-CHILD by phone or text.  They can talk to you in the moment and direct you to free resources in your area. https://www.childhelp.org/
  • Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway.  This organization provides families and individuals with links to family support services.  https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/supporting/support-services/
Resources
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/
https://www.healthline.com/health/causes-of-child-abuse#takeaway
https://octf.ohio.gov/what-we-do/the-problem/ohio-child-abuse-and-neglect-stats
https://cps.clermontcountyohio.gov/identifying-abuse/#2
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/What-to-Know-about-Child-Abuse.aspx
https://octf.ohio.gov/home
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/child-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20370864

Join the Spring Into Wellness Email Challenge

Spring into Wellness photo with strawberries and daisies

Challenge Dates: April 4 – May 15, 2022

Register before March 28, 2022

 

Topics Covered:

  • Financial Wellness
  • Social Wellness
  • Intellectual Wellness
  • Creative Wellness
  • Environmental Wellness
  • Emotional Wellness
  • Physical Wellness
  • Occupational Wellness
  • Spiritual Wellness
  • Balance

What is the cost? It’s FREE!!

Who can participate? Any adult with an email account.

For Butler County residents go to this link & register before March 28, 2022:

go.osu.edu/LHLWButler

If you wish to register for a different county, the counties are listed here: https://livehealthyosu.com/

Sponsored by Ohio State University Extension

Happy National Pancake Day!

Large stack of pancakes with berriesWhile pancakes have probably been a part of your mornings for as long as you can remember, these tasty mouthfuls of goodness have quite a history of their own.  Did you know that pancakes may have been around since the stone age?  In ancient Greece and Rome, they kept it simple with ingredients including flour, olive oil and milk but chefs today are shaking up their pancake recipes to include fruit, vegetables spices, candy and many other unusual ingredients that make them delicious and fun!

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