Simple Steps for a Safe Halloween, Courtesy of Mount Sinai & the CDC

Ditch the Itch: Avoiding Skin Reactions to Halloween Costumes and Make Up, recommends Andrea Waldman, MD is the Director of the Adolescent and Pediatric Dermatology at Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which was recognized for Excellence in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, has provided some guidelines for safe trick-or-treating as we continue to deal with COVID-19. Read more from the CDC.

Halloween treats, costumes, and decorations are exciting for parents and children alike, but these holiday staples may be associated with unpleasant allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis or urticaria (hives).

As Halloween approaches and you are choosing your child’s costume, here are some helpful tips to protect your child’s skin from Andrea Waldman, MD, Director of Adolescent and Pediatric Dermatology at Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology.

Know the signs of a reaction

Be sure to test the face paint or makeup on a small area of your child’s skin, such as a spot on the arm three to five days prior to full application on the big day, to make sure your child does not develop a reaction.
Be sure to test the face paint or makeup on a small area of your child’s skin, such as a spot on the arm three to five days prior to full application on the big day, to make sure your child does not develop a reaction.

Your child may be experiencing an adverse skin reaction if redness, itching, dryness or blistering of the skin develops.

If your child develops a reaction, immediately wash off any makeup or paint and take off their costume and any accessories.

Call your doctor as your child may require treatment with oral antihistamines or a topical corticosteroids.

Do a spot check before applying face paint and makeup

Face paint and makeups may be a fun compliment to your child’s costume, but they can also cause adverse cutaneous reactions.

These festive additions may contain preservatives, such as methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone, as well as dyes or fragrances that can be irritating to the skin.

Be sure to test the face paint or makeup on a small area of your child’s skin, such as a spot on the arm three to five days prior to full application on the big day, to make sure your child does not develop a reaction.

Avoid false eyelashes and nails

While fake eyelashes and nails may really make a costume pop, they often contain potential contact allergens such as cyanoacrylates, latex, and formaldehyde.

Furthermore, these products may damage the nails and eyelashes overtime.

Halloween Safety courtesy of Mount Sinai
Courtesy of Mount Sinai

Beware of hidden nickel  

Costume jewelry and accessories, such as belts, can also cause skin reactions as they commonly contain metals such as nickel, which is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis.

Opt for a natural, breathable fabric

When choosing a costume for your child, 100 percent cotton fabric is recommended. Other materials, such as wool and polyester, may be irritating to the skin.

Irritation is especially likely if your child has a history of sensitive skin or eczema.

Looser fitting, breathable fabrics also decreases the incidence of skin issues on the big day.

Most importantly, have fun and Happy Halloween! 

Original post and to Learn More… please visit https://health.mountsinai.org/blog/skin-reactions-to-halloween-cosstumes-and-makeup/

Andrea Waldman, MD (Courtesy of Mount Sinai)
Andrea Waldman, MD (Courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Andrea Waldman, MD is the Director of the Adolescent and Pediatric Dermatology at Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology.

Dr. Waldman is a fellowship trained, dual board certified Pediatric Dermatologist. She offers state-of-the-art dermatologic care to pediatric patients of all ages.

Make an appointment with Dr. Waldman

Learn more about Pediatric Dermatology at Mount Sinai

Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared! Courtesy of the CDC

Jack-o’-lanterns glow on the front porch. Children wait anxiously in their costumes, ready to go house-to-house collecting buckets of treats. For kids (and, yes, adults too), Halloween can be a time of excitement and imagination.

But as a parent, you need to protect your little ones from some very real dangers. What if they get separated from you? Are they prepared to safely cross the street? Did you remind them to not eat the candy before you check it?

Glow in the Dark

From chilling tales to creepy costumes, lots of things can be scary on Halloween night. But the real danger for children is walking in the dark.

On average, 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.

Make sure children know the rules of the road and are as visible as possible at night.

Halloween Safety Courtesy of the CDC
Courtesy of the CDC

Here are some tips to help you prepare:

  • Travel together. Avoid letting children walk alone. Always walk in large groups with a responsible adult

  • Brighten up. Fasten reflective tape to kids’ costumes and treat bags so drivers can see them at night. Brightly-colored costumes are better for kids

  • Look both ways. Tell your child to look both ways before crossing the street and to use crosswalks

  • Stay on sidewalks. Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe

  • See and be seen. Give children a flashlight or glow stick to hold while trick-or-treating to help them see, and to help others see them while they walk – never run! – from house to house

Caution with Costumes!

Your little princess or goblin is itching to hit the trick-or-treat trail. Their costume looks spook-tacular… but is it safe?

The right costume will allow your child to see and move safely while they’re out and about.

Using makeup instead of masks can help kids watch the action around them.

When painting little faces, always test make-up in a small area first, and remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

Avoid trips and falls by making sure costumes and shoes are well fitted. Swords, knives, and other costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

For extra safety, slip an emergency contact information card in your child’s pocket or treat bucket in case they get lost or separated from the group.

While beautiful, candles and luminaries can be a Halloween hazard. Check that everyone’s costumes are flame-resistant, and don’t walk near anything that’s lit.

Use battery-operated lights whenever you can to keep others safe.

(Be prepared with an Emergency Action Plan that identifies—among other things– a shelter-in-place location inside your home, two (2) emergency meeting places outside your home, and at least two (2) ways out of every room in your home. Courtsey of the CDC and YouTube.)

No Tricks, Only Treats

As children’s candy buckets fill up, tiny fingers may struggle to resist temptation: “Just one piece will be okay…”

Or is it? Remind your trick-or-treaters not to eat anything until they get home and you can inspect it.

Feed your children dinner or a snack to keep them from wanting to pilfer the treats while they’re out.

Bellyaches are no fun! While inspecting the candy, look for evidence of tampering, make sure it’s in the original wrapper, and throw away treats that look homemade.

Does your child have food allergies? Don’t forget to check all the labels.

Have a Fa-boo-lous Halloween!

Halloween is about making memories: haunted houses, carving pumpkins, costumes, and the search for full-size candy bars.

Keeping children safe throughout the festivities depends on everyone – parents and kids, drivers and pedestrians – being thoughtful, attentive, and careful.

Visit the CDC website for more tips on how you can prepare, and have a fun and safe Halloween!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recognized in 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards

In addition to your gourmet, plated meal, entree of choice, and signed copy of Bill Bratton’s New Book ‘The Profession’ - your 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon Registration includes Complimentary attendee access to ISC East, the leading event for the Northeast’s security and public safety community, the inaugural Natural Disaster and Emergency Management (NDEM) Expo, and the ASIS NYC SECURITY CONFERENCE & EXPO on November 17th & 18th at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City.
In addition to your gourmet, plated meal, and your entree of choice, the first 100 registered attendees will receive a signed copy of Bill Bratton’s New Book ‘The Profession’. 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon Registration also includes Complimentary attendee access to ISC East, the leading event for the Northeast’s security and public safety community, the inaugural Natural Disaster and Emergency Management (NDEM) Expo, and the ASIS NYC SECURITY CONFERENCE & EXPO on November 17th & 18th at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City.

Special Early Luncheon Registration Discount Ends November 1

American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is today in its Sixth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administer, David Pekoske
David Pekoske, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administer

American Security Today is pleased to announce TSA Administrator  David Pekoske, will join the organization as a featured speaker at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Presentation Luncheon, on November 17, 2021 at ISC East in New York City.

“On the heels of an unprecedented global pandemic, continued unrest in our cities and potentially catastrophic cyberattacks on our nations critical infrastructure, the focus of the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon will be on the latest, state-of-the-art innovations that are driving investments in new public security and safety technologies and systems,” said AST Editorial and Managing Director Tammy Waitt.

“As a recognized expert in crisis management, strategic planning, innovation and aviation, surface transportation and maritime security, David Pekoske’s message highlighting his top priorities and challenges for the TSA based on his years of wide-ranging experience will be critical to our attendees internalizing the critical nature of these escalating challenges, and realizing innovative new approaches to meet them.”

The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions  and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI SystemsAttivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.

Additionally, the First 100 Registered Attendees to receive autographed copies of the Latest Book by Legendary Police Commissioner, Bill Bratton, who will be Live at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America’

The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon featured an impassioned and compelling keynote address by William (Bill) Bratton, former police commissioner of the NYPD twice, the BPD, and former chief of the LAPD, on the history of policing in America focused on the evolution of critical communication capabilities in our post 9/11 landscape.

The epic, transformative career of Bill Bratton, legendary police commissioner and police reformer, in Boston, Los Angeles, and New York When Bill Bratton became a Boston street cop after returning from serving in Vietnam, he was dismayed by the corrupt old guard, and it is fair to say the old guard was dismayed by him too.

The Profession presents not only a fascinating and colorful life at the heights of law enforcement leadership, but the vision for the future of American policing that we sorely need.

At ISC East 2021 you with the opportunity to interact with a broad array of security industry professionals.

ISC East works closely with other businesses in the security and public safety space to help bring together the Northeast’s largest security trade show each year.

In collaboration with premier sponsor SIA (Security Industry Association) and in partnership with ASIS NYC, ISC East is proud to work with and be supported by various associations, trade publications, charities, and more.

Therefore, the ISC audience of security dealers, installers, integrators, consultants, corporate, government and law enforcement/first responder practitioners will be joined by the ASIS NYC audience of major corporate managerial-through-director-level national and global security executives.

The combination of one-on-one conversations with the industry’s top innovators,  integrators and security executives, special events, high-quality education and training, and strong support from industry associations, will allow attendees to learn and evaluate solutions from leading security exhibitors and brands. 

The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program surpassed expectations with a record number of nominations received from industry leaders and government agencies, and drew over 200 attendees to the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Banquet – an exclusive gourmet luncheon and networking opportunity which filled to capacity, before having to turn away late registrants.

With the integration of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Management (NDEM) Expo, the show is moving even further into our reader’s wheelhouse!

With the integration of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Management (NDEM) Expo, the show is moving even further into our reader's wheelhouse! Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to both ISC East - and NDEM!
ISC East the leading event for the Northeast’s security and public safety community, and home of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon, is colocating with the inaugural Natural Disaster and Emergency Management (NDEM) Expo on November 17th & 18th at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City.

Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to ISC East, NDEM and the ASIS NYC Security Conference and Expo!

Thank take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to take a break from the show – Invite your team, guests, clients and show visitors to a lovely and affordable plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for a fabulous networking opportunity!

Special Early Luncheon Registration Discount Ends November 1

Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table.

***Early Registration Discount Ends November 1. Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.
AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.

The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

American Security Today

These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.

It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

  • For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, and the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

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