We hope all children enjoy celebrating Bonfire Night. For the 3 to 5 percent of people with photosensitive epilepsy, it's important to be cautious during the festivities tonight. Exposure to flashes and patterns from fireworks or flickering flames from bonfires could potentially trigger a seizure for them. To minimise this risk, it is advisable to maintain a safe distance from the fireworks and bonfire. By increasing the distance, the intensity of the light decreases, reducing the chances of triggering a seizure. Additionally, covering one eye with the palm of the hand can be helpful in reducing the risk. Another precautionary measure is to wear special glasses with a dark cobalt blue lens, known as the ‘Z1 lens’, which is specifically designed to help prevent photosensitive seizures.
HOPE for Epilepsy’s Post
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For the first time since 1938, kids in Des Moines, Iowa, will celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating on October 31 itself, as severe weather forecasts push the usual “Beggars' Night” forward by a day. Des Moines’ long-standing Beggars’ Night tradition began as a safety measure to reduce Halloween-night vandalism, which saw more than 500 police reports of mischief back in 1938, according to the State Historical Society of Iowa. Since then, the city has held Beggars’ Night on October 30, keeping Halloween free for adult and family activities. This year, however, severe weather predictions—including potential storms, hail, and tornadoes—led officials to shift the date. The adjustment means kids will experience Halloween night like much of the rest of the country for the first time in over 80 years. On Beggars’ Night, it’s customary for kids to share jokes before receiving treats. Past jokes from Des Moines youth include classics like, “How does a cucumber become a pickle? It goes through a jarring experience,” and “Why don’t lobsters share? Because they’re shellfish.” This unique tradition has spread beyond Des Moines to other parts of Iowa and Ohio, adding a fun twist to Halloween festivities. Original author: Ayana Archie Photographer: Charlie Neibergall Summary produced with help from ChatGPT https://lnkd.in/gHif8prq
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Tomorrow is Halloween and we've got some tips to share to help keep the kids safe while enjoying the festivities! 👻 🎃 Trick-or-treaters need to see and be seen. Use face makeup instead of masks which can make seeing difficult. 🎃 Give trick-or-treaters a flashlight to light their way. 🎃Make sure adults know where the kids are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door. 🎃 Walk, don’t run. 🎃 Only visit homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door and never go inside. 🎃 Walk only on sidewalks, not in the street. 🎃 Drivers — use extra caution as youngsters may forget to look both ways before crossing. 🎃 A grown-up should check all goodies before eating (and maybe take a bite - don't tell the kids we told you this!)
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Happy Halloween 2024! 🎃👻 As you get ready for spooky fun this year, here are a few accessibility tips to make trick-or-treating more inclusive for everyone: • Not everyone can enjoy candy 🍬—so consider having non-edible treats on hand! Think stickers, pencils, crayons, or small toys. Keep these goodies in a separate bowl from the candy for easy access. • Some trick-or-treaters may be older than expected, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less excited! Halloween is for everyone, so share the treats with a smile. • Some trick-or-treaters might not be able to see what you’re offering. Take a moment to describe the fun treat you’re giving—it makes the experience even better! • Communication comes in many forms. Be patient and understanding, as not everyone may communicate in the same way. Your kindness will mean the world to the kids and their caregivers. 💖 Wishing you all a fun, spooky, and inclusive Halloween! 🎃 Source: https://bit.ly/45Ry06D Photo description: black background, spider web graphic in the top left, skeleton in the bottom right, photo of Keith dressed as a pirate in the middle, orange text that reads "Happy Halloween from Ability Together"
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Happy Halloween 2024! 🎃👻 As you get ready for spooky fun this year, here are a few accessibility tips to make trick-or-treating more inclusive for everyone: • Not everyone can enjoy candy 🍬—so consider having non-edible treats on hand! Think stickers, pencils, crayons, or small toys. Keep these goodies in a separate bowl from the candy for easy access. • Some trick-or-treaters may be older than expected, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less excited! Halloween is for everyone, so share the treats with a smile. • Some trick-or-treaters might not be able to see what you’re offering. Take a moment to describe the fun treat you’re giving—it makes the experience even better! • Communication comes in many forms. Be patient and understanding, as not everyone may communicate in the same way. Your kindness will mean the world to the kids and their caregivers. 💖 Wishing you all a fun, spooky, and inclusive Halloween! 🎃 Source: https://bit.ly/45Ry06D Photo description: black background, spider web graphic in the top left, skeleton in the bottom right, photo of Keith dressed as a pirate in the middle, orange text that reads "Happy Halloween from Ability Together"
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This holiday season, let's talk about Christmas house rules. A little structure can help us foster peace and joy amid family dynamics. Discover tips and insights on avoiding holiday bust ups on our blog: https://wix.to/C9kSVk0 #Christmas #FamilyRelationships #ProfessionalDevelopment
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Happy Halloween to all my LinkedIn peeps! Have fun and stay safe while Trick or Treating tonight with your little ghosts and goblins! Here are some useful tips: Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips: 🍬 Always accompany young children around the neighborhood. Having an adult present ensures that children stay safe, know the rules, and are guided through busy streets. 🍬 Tell older children to remain in a group and stay in communication with you. Encourage them to look out for each other and to use their phones to check in, ensuring they feel safe and connected. 🍬 Only go to well-lit homes. Well-lit houses indicate a welcoming environment and help to avoid potential dangers lurking in the dark. 🍬 Do not enter any homes or cars for treats. Teach children to stay on the sidewalk and accept treats only at the door, helping to maintain personal safety and boundaries. 🍬 Always do a full candy check when you get home. If something isn't correctly wrapped, throw it away. If you get any type of fruit as a treat, throw it away!Any homemade treats?!! Throw them away! #HappyHalloween #Staysafe
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Safeguarding Consultant, Trainer, and Speaker supporting schools in safeguarding & child protection training and consultancy, through DSL supervision, reviews, and many safeguarding training courses
🎄 It’s Christmas Time – Let’s Keep the Magic (and the Safeguarding) Alive! 🎅✨ Christmas… the most wonderful time of the year! Twinkly lights, festive tunes, and all the excitement, especially if you’ve got little ones running around. Between Father Christmas keeping his “naughty or nice” list and that Elf on the Shelf causing chaos, the magic is everywhere. But let’s take a moment to think about what we’re really saying to our kids... “Be good or Santa’s watching.” “The elf sees everything.” Basically, we’ve turned Christmas into an MI5 operation. 😂 Now, here’s the serious bit. While the magic is amazing, there are some safeguarding implications we need to consider. Telling children they’re being “watched” all the time by Father Christmas or an elf might unintentionally send the wrong message. 🛑 What if children think they don’t need to report abuse? If they believe Santa knows everything, they might assume he already knows if something bad is happening to them – and that he’ll fix it. This could stop them from speaking up to trusted adults who can help. 🛑 Why doesn’t Santa or the elf do anything? Children might wonder why someone “watching” doesn’t stop harmful behaviour. This could lead to confusion and feelings of helplessness. So, how do we find the balance? 🎁 Keep the magic, but be mindful – Santa and the elf can be fun and magical, but let’s avoid messaging that makes them feel like all-seeing enforcers. 🎁 Encourage open conversations – Reassure children that they can always talk to trusted adults if something is wrong, no matter what time of year it is. 🎁 Let kids be kids – Mistakes are part of growing up. If they accidentally knock over the tree, that’s a lesson in physics, not a fast track to the naughty list! Christmas is a wonderful time to nurture joy, kindness, and creativity – and to reinforce the importance of safe, open communication. Let’s make it a season where kids feel both magical and supported. Because Christmas should feel like a warm hug, not a security camera. 🎅💖 #ChristmasMagic #SafeguardingChildren #ElfOnTheShelf
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Halloween is a time for spooky thrills and imagination. 👻🦇 But the holiday also brings some extra risks for children and teens. Help keep Halloween fun and safe for your family with these tips... -Always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. If trick-or-treating doesn't start until after dark where you live, consider checking with your town or park district for Halloween activities offered earlier in the day. -If your older children are trick-or-treating alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. They should travel in groups and create a "buddy system" to get each other home safely. -Talk with kids about the risk of distracted walking. This includes text messaging, talking on or looking at their cell phone and listening to music. -Cross the street as a group in established crosswalk. Don't assume cars will stop just because they have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. -Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. Only go to homes with a porch light on and, ideally, a well-lit pathway. -Caution kids never enter a home or car for a treat. Notify law enforcement authorities immediately about any suspicious or unlawful activity. -Review with your child how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency, get lost or are prone to wander. -Before digging into your candy stash, make sure to inspect each piece for any signs of tampering. Look for torn wrappers, holes, or unusual colors. Your children's safety is no trick- so take a few minutes to go over the safety tips and treat the family with an assurance of a good time! Happy haunting 🎃👻 #Halloween2024 #SpookySeason #TrickOrTreat #HalloweenSafety #KidsSafety #HalloweenThrills
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