A vast array of pharmaceuticals - including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones - have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows.

To be sure, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Also, utilities insist their water is safe.

But the presence of so many prescription drugs - and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen - in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health.

People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue.

Even users of bottled water and home filtration systems don't necessarily avoid exposure. Bottlers, some of which simply repackage tap water, do not typically treat or test for pharmaceuticals, according to the industry's main trade group. The same goes for the makers of home filtration systems.

Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills, and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards to younger children.

For infants, toddlers, and all children who still mouth objects, avoid toys with small parts which could pose a fatal choking hazard.

For all children under age eight, avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.

Do not purchase electric toys with heating elements for children under age eight.

Be a label reader. Look for labels that give age recommendations and use that information as a guide.

Look for sturdy construction, such as tightly secured eyes, noses, and other potential small parts.

Check instructions for clarity. They should be clear to you, and when appropriate, to the child.

Discard plastic wrappings on toys immediately, which can cause suffocation, before they become deadly playthings.

Parents of food-allergic children must be diligent in checking their kids' loot before giving them access to it. Instruct children not to eat anything until they get home. Then read labels carefully, looking for allergens. Be aware that the ingredient Mandalona is a nut substitute derived from peanut meal.

Make sure your kids have a good meal before they go out trick-or-treating, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network recommends, so they're not hungry.

Talk with neighbours in advance about having safe treats for your kids; consider supplying them. Some companies, including Nestle and Mars, for instance, produce peanut-free candy bars. Consider such non-food treats for trick-or-treaters as colouring books or pens and pencils.

If your child is old enough to go out without an adult, have him go with at least two buddies who know about his food allergies. Make sure he carries his medicine. Epinephrine, used to treat severe allergic reactions, is most effective when used as soon as possible after a severe allergic reaction. It is available by prescription, most commonly as the Epi-Pen auto-injector.

Denise Bunning of Chicago has two children with severe food allergies. Her son Bryan was rushed to the hospital one year after eating a single gummy worm, reported WMAQ-TV in Chicago.

"The bulk container had previously contained a chocolate nut, so just the residue on the gummy worm was enough to cause my child to have an anaphylactic reaction," Bunning said.

Experts say eight foods are the most common food-allergy culprits: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.

Parents of food-allergic children must read every candy label in their child's Halloween bag to ensure their child's safety.

During a food-safety demonstration at a food bank, the Agriculture Department's undersecretary for food safety walked along a table laden with raw and cooked turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie.

Raymond and Terrell Danley Jr., the chef at Washington’s Creme Cafe, showed how to plunge a thermometer into the thickest part of the turkey leg. The government says the temperature should read 180 degrees before the bird comes out of the oven.

That is easier said than done for people who look forward to a juicy bird. Chefs say the turkey can dry out at 180 degrees.

"I believe that’s excessive," said David Kamen, chef instructor at the Culinary Institute of America. "The idea is to ensure people's safety. Salmonella dies at 165 degrees, so that extra 15 degrees we're throwing on top of there, one has to ask why."

Help! It's the night before Thanksgiving and I forgot to move my 14-pound frozen turkey into the refrigerator to defrost. I know it's not safe to just leave it out on the counter. Is there anything I can do?

Yes, although you'll have to stay up late. Put the turkey in a cooler or sink full of cold water. Change the water every few hours so that it remains under 40ºF. The turkey will thaw in about seven hours (the general rule is 30 minutes per pound). See more tips on thawing a frozen turkey.

Can I stuff my turkey the night before I roast it to save time in the morning?

Only if you wish to poison your guests. In other words, DEFINITELY NOT. Stuffing the bird the night before would allow dangerous bacteria to grow.

Parents might also consider sending their children out with some fruits or nuts as snacks.

"Discuss with children what constitutes a reasonable number of treats to consume when they get home and be cautious with homemade treats -- if you are unclear about the source of the treat, throw it away," Elisabetta Politi, nutrition manager at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center, said in a prepared statement.

Falls are among the most common Halloween-related injuries, noted Claudia McCormick, program director of the Duke Trauma Center. Parents need to make sure that costumes won't cause children to trip. Children should wear well-fitting shoes. Don't send them out in floppy shoes or shoes with high heels. And they should walk in well-lit areas.

Candy

Kids will be less likely to overload on candy if they eat something before they go out. And they'll be more likely to do that if you make it fun. One idea: host a make your own jack o' lantern pizza party. Give each child a miniature pizza and allow him to create a masterpiece. You can use onions, peppers, or olives for eyes, and mushrooms for a toothy grin.

Before Halloween, decide -- with your children -- on a specific number of candies they can eat per day, and how long that should go on. After that cut- off date, donate the excess candy or put it away and take it out for special treats throughout the year. Set a treat calorie limit for yourself as well. Of course, make sure your child knows not to eat any treats until you've checked them to make sure the safety seal hasn't been tampered with.

Costumes

Costumes are an essential part of Halloween fun, but hazardous situations can arise if a costume is made from the wrong materials or does not fit properly. "Every Halloween we see children brought to our emergency department with problems related to costumes. Masks that are ill-fitting interfere with vision, and outfits that are baggy or extend beyond ankles lead to trips and falls," said Harvard Health Letter advisory board member Dr. John T. Nagurney, who is an attending physician in emergency services at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Children who will be trick-or-treating after dusk should have reflective tape on their costumes and treat bags, and should carry flashlights with fresh batteries.

Jack-O'-Lanterns

Carving Jack-O'-Lanterns is a Halloween tradition that the whole family can participate in, though small children should never do the actual carving. Let them draw a face with markers, and then you can do the cutting. Under parents' supervision, children aged 5 to 10 can carve with pumpkin cutters that have safety bars.

Home safety

Keep your own home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters by removing anything that a child could trip over and by replacing any burned-out outdoor light bulbs.