El Paso Health | About Your Health | Fall 2018

Top tips for safe trick-or-treating PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN OF TRAVELING FARMWORKERS El Paso Health has special Medicaid services for the children of traveling farmworkers. To help you get these services, please call us at 1-877-532-3778, Ext. 1075 . We will help you get the medical services your child needs. ABOUT YOUR HEALTH is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of EL PASO HEALTH, 1145 Westmoreland Drive, El Paso, TX 79925, telephone 1-877-532-3778, website elpasohealth.com . Information in ABOUT YOUR HEALTH comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health-care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Member Services Department 1-877-532-3778 2018 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. 10194EPH0090118 Fall 2018 Member Newsletter member news D o you want to know 1 of the scariest things about trick-or-treating? It’s this: On average, kids are twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween as on any other day, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. So if you’re sending a brave little soldier, colorful clown or swashbuckling pirate out to collect candy, follow these road safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts. 1. Add reflective tape to costumes and bags. Light-colored clothing is also best. 2. Have everyone carry a flashlight or glow sticks—so they can see where they’re going and drivers can see them. 3. Choose costumes that allow your children to see clearly and are short enough to prevent tripping. Face paint or make-up is best. Masks should fit well and have large eyeholes. Hats and scarves should be tied tight enough so they won’t slip over your children’s eyes. 4. Put your children in sturdy shoes. High heels may look cute on your little princess, but they aren’t safe for walking. 5. Tell your children to walk only on sidewalks or paths, whenever possible. Otherwise, they should always walk facing traffic and as far from the road as possible. 6. Encourage your children to trick-or-treat with a group, and have the group stay together— especially when crossing streets. 7. Remind your children to look left, right and left again when crossing a street. Teach your children to assume cars cannot see them and to make eye contact with drivers. 8. If your children have a cellphone, make sure they know how to call 911. And encourage them to do so if they’re lost or seriously hurt. Following these tips will help make sure that drivers can see your trick-or-treater, that your children can see cars and other dangers, and that everyone will arrive home safely to enjoy the treats they’ve collected.