1. See an optometrist for a proper fitting and prescription
2. Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses.
3. Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your optometrist. Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient multi-purpose solution to completely cover the lens.
4. Store lenses in the proper lens storage case and replace the case at a minimum of every three months. Clean the case after each use, and keep it open and dry between cleanings.
5. Use only products recommended by your optometrist to clean and disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.
6. Only fresh solution should be used to clean and store contact lenses. Never re-use old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, even if the lenses are not used daily.
7. Always follow the recommended contact lens replacement schedule prescribed by your optometrist.
8. Remove contact lenses before swimming or entering a hot tub.
9. See your optometrist for your regularly scheduled contact lens and eye examination.

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.

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.