A
5200 Harry Hines Blvd.
,
Dallas
,
TX
75235
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- Main Retail Café: Mon - Sun | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Starbucks Café: WISH Building | Mon - Fri | 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Park Market Café: Mon - Fri | 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. | 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. | Sat -Sun | 7 p.m. - 4 a.m.
- Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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- Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Monday - Friday: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday: Closed
- Holiday hours may be different
Posted: 10/29/2014
Distractions can present hazards for children
Halloween is supposed to be scary, but kids and their parents need to practice a few common sense safety measures to ensure that this holiday doesn't turn into fright night, experts at Parkland Health & Hospital System advise.
Because so much is going on at Halloween, and excited small children may not always make the best decisions, parents need to keep track of several potential hazards. Candy, traffic and costumes could all present dangers. According to the U.S. Census, there are a potential 41 million trick-or-treaters between the ages of 5 and 14 who could be out on Halloween night.
“Many parents overestimate their children’s street-crossing skills,” said Shelli Stephens-Stidham, Director of the Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas, which is housed at Parkland. “Children are likely to choose the shortest rather than the safest route across streets, often darting out between parked cars. Young children are not able to evaluate potential traffic threats effectively. An adult should accompany trick-or-treaters who are less than 10 years of age.
Remind children to look left, right and then left again before crossing the street at the corner.
And of course, candy is always a major concern for parents on Halloween. One of the most important things to stress about candy is that kids should not eat any candy until they come home and you’ve had a chance to inspect it. Throw out any unwrapped candy. Check for choking hazards, such as peanuts, gum, and hard candies in the bags of smaller children.
“Here at the North Texas Poison Center, we are preparing for our busiest time of year. Halloween is supposed to be scary in a fun way–not traumatizing. Taking a few precautions can make the difference between activities that are memorable for all the right reasons and those that aren’t,” said Mike Yudizky, Public Health Education Manager. “When in doubt, call and speak to the Poison Center experts at 1.800.222.1222 for treatment recommendations 24 hours a day.”
The North Texas Poison Center is located at Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Tips for a safe Halloween
- Costumes should be bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
- Add reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
- Use non-toxic makeup and decorative hats instead of masks, which can limit or block eyesight. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
- Make sure glow stick products do not tear; the substance inside is not highly toxic but can irritate eyes, skin and mucous membranes.
- Purchase only costumes, wigs and accessories that are flame resistant.
- Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
- Use flashlights with fresh batteries.
- A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.
- If older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
- Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
- Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
- Never cut across yards or use alleys.
And remember, many shopping malls, churches and other organizations offer safe alternatives to the traditional trick-or-treating in neighborhoods.