Trick-or-Treating and Halloween Safety Advice from the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island

Hauppauge, NY, October 28, 2010 --(PR.com)-- To keep trick-or-treating and Halloween fun and safe, the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island in cooperation with the American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly encourages Long Islanders to follow these tips:

• Choose costumes that are bright and reflective;
• Add reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility;
• Consider using non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives instead of masks;
• Purchase costumes and wigs that are clearly labeled flame resistant;
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of a costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long;
• Use flashlights with fresh batteries;
• Be sure that children know how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency;
• Keep homes safe for trick-or-treaters by removing decorations that a child could trip over;
• Make sure outdoor lights are working;
• Sweep wet leaves off sidewalks and steps;
• Children should be advised to trick-or-treat at homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat;
• Trick-or-treaters should be advised to stay in a group, remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk;
• Notify law enforcement immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Based in Hauppauge, NY, the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island (NPALI) is a chapter of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State. NPALI was formed in 1980, and works in concert with the state organization for the purpose of uniting, representing, and advocating for the profession.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. NPs complete graduate-level education preparation that leads to a master’s degree. NPs take health histories and provide complete physical examinations; diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems; interpret laboratory results and X-rays; prescribe and manage medications and other therapies; provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance; and refer patients to other health professionals as needed. NPs are authorized to practice across the nation and have prescriptive privileges, of varying degrees, in 49 states. The most recent Health Resources and Services Administration Sample Survey report (2008) shows 158,348 Nurse Practitioners in the United States, an increase of more than 12 percent over 2004 data. The actual number of nurse practitioners in 2006 is estimated to be at least 145,000.

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