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BEWARE-WOLF PRESENTS:

Operation Halloween
Candy Safety

Tips & Suggestions to Keep Children Safe
Don't Be Tricked

DON'T BE TRICKED BY YOUR TREATS!

Halloween is many people’s favorite holiday, and the Bureau of Emergency Services wants to make sure it is enjoyed to the fullest. Below are some tips for a fun and safe Halloween: 

  1. Definitions and descriptions of Edibles with the potential side effects. 

  2. Tips for inspecting Halloween candy for Imitations or tampering. 

  3. Sorting Sweets with your children that teaches and entertains while you check the Halloween loot for concerns. 

  4. General Halloween Safety tips for keeping your little ghouls and goblins safe.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

  • Edibles!

    Edibles are food and drink products that are made with marijuana extract. Marijuana edibles come in various forms and can be commercially made or homemade.  

    Edibles take longer to digest and produce a high. Therefore, youth may consume more to feel the effects faster, leading to an increase in dangerous results. (National Institutes of Health) 

    Edibles come in candy, cookies, and ice cream which are attractive to youth. (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) 

    Taken in large doses, marijuana edibles can lead to anxiety attacks, paranoia, and hallucinations. Several case reports involving kids who took edibles found that respiratory insufficiency can also be a major side effect in young children. (Drug Abuse, American Addiction Centers) 

  • DELTA 8 Edibles

    Delta 8 - Delta-8 THC (or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol) is a naturally occurring chemical compound, called a cannabinoid, that’s found in traces in hemp and cannabis(marijuana) plants.

    In some states, you can legally buy products like gummies, vapes cartridges, and capsules that contain a concentrated form of this compound.

    The popularity of products that contain delta-8 is on the rise, and you can find them everywhere, from boutique weed dispensaries to convenience store shelves.

  • THC and Cannabis Edibles

    THC gummies — also known as weed gummies or marijuana gummies — are edible cannabis products that are infused with THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. THC gummies can often look just like regular candy, making them a tempting snack for kids.

    In addition to gummies, other edible cannabis products containing THC may include:

    Chocolate bars, candies, lollipops, fudge, popcorn, and ice cream.

    Baked items like cookies, brownies, and cupcakes.

    Sweetened beverages like soda and lemonade.

    These cannabis products often look like a real piece of candy or sweet treat, but just one serving may contain several times the recommended dose of THC for adults, making children very sick and may require a trip to the emergency department or hospitalization. (American Association of Poison Control Centers)

  • Keep an eye out for confusing THC packaging

    Manufactured cannabis edibles containing THC have often been packaged to look just like regular foods. In recent years, many states — including California — have put laws in place to make sure that marijuana edible packages are clearly marked and not enticing for children. (American Association of Poison Control Centers)

    WRAL News State Targets Counterfeit THC Laced Snacks:

  • Signs of a THC Overdose General Population

    If you are exhibiting any of these symptoms, call 911.

    A marijuana overdose is becoming increasingly common for a variety of reasons. An overdose of THC is dose-related, and the risk of overdose is higher when eating marijuana vs. smoking it.

    Common symptoms of a THC overdose can inlcude:

    • Poor cognitive functioning.
    • Motor impairment.
    • Anxiety, Panic and fear.
    • Agitation.
    • Extreme sedation.
    • Cardiac stress.
    • Vomiting.
    • Psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions).

  • Signs of a THC Overdose in Children

    If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, call 911.

    The concentration and strength of THC in these edible products is very difficult to measure and is often unknown. Consuming even a small amount of THC in a gummy or baked item can cause kids to experience symptoms of a marijuana overdose.

    Children who have consumed cannabis edibles may:

    • Act lethargic.
    • Feel dizzy.
    • Have trouble walking or sitting up.
    • Have an accelerated heart rate.
    • Have trouble breathing.

CANDY INSPECTION GUIDELINES

Advise your little ones not to eat any candy until they’re home. Make sure to give each piece a visual inspection under bright light for signs of:

  • Candy that has strange lumps or foreign objects.
  • Candy that’s unwrapped, ripped, has been opened or not in its original packaging.
  • Candy that smells funny.
  • Candy from any manufacturer you’ve never heard of, is discolored, or stained, or mismatched candy with different colors and pieces.
  • Holes or rips in the wrapper that have been resealed.
  • Homemade treats that were provided from someone you don’t know.

If you find candy that has been tampered with, contact your local police department.

Sorting Sweets while looking for the Imitations:

Here are a few ways you and your children can sort their candy loot while you inspect for anything suspicious:

  • Have them sort their candy by color or shape.
  • Have a race to see who can sort their candy any way they want in three minutes–you just must be able to explain why you sorted it that way.
  • Have them sort their candy by types–chocolate, lollipops, gummies, etc.
  • Have them sort their candy from largest to smallest.
  • Have them practice math skills by adding or subtracting candies.

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS & SUGGESTIONS

To ensure you and your little one’s have a safe holiday, FDA.GOV has complied a list of Halloween safety tips.

Carefully Chosen Costumes

  • Before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won't cause safety hazards.
  • All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant.
  • If children are allowed to go out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags and have them carry glow sticks.
  • Opt for non-toxic Halloween Makeup over masks since masks can obscure vision.
  • Remove all makeup before they go to bed to prevent skin irritation.

Additional Safety Suggestions

  • 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.
  • Only go to homes where the porch light is on.
  • 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.

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