The Other Side October 2024

the OTHER S I D E

october 2024

In this edition:

• Enjoy some fun graphics learning how to stay safe on Halloween • Test your safety knowledge with a Halloween Safety Quiz • Learn about National Health Literacy Month with coloring pages • Become a desert chef in the kitchen with Healthy Frozen Banana Pops

Youth in Care “monty” feature If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be?

Amusing, adventurous, energetic What is something you have accomplished that made you proud of yourself?

Being able to attend the local high school What do you want to be/do/accomplish when you “grow up”?

I want to be a welder

If you had the chance to provide advice or encouragement to other youth in care, what would you say to them?

Think about the future. Don’t let the past hold you from your goals Is there anything about yourself or your story you’d like to share?

I am thankful to my family and CYFS for doing the right thing for me

If you would like to be featured in December’s edition of The Other Side, please reach out to us via our email address and we will be in touch!

Check your kids’ candy for choking hazards like gum and hard candies.

Face paint is safer than masks.

as parents taking your kids out or letting them go Stay visible with alone on halloween can a reflective bag. be fun, and taking into mind some safety tips and precautions can make for Always use a crosswalk a fun and safe evening. to cross the street.

Lighter-colored costumes are easier to see in the dark.

Halloween Safety Quiz 1 2 3

Someone gives you candy that is not wrapped and sealed by the candy company. You should a. eat it anyway. b. save it for a rainy day. c. throw it away. d. give it to your dog.

The safest way to go trick-or-treating is a. alone. b. late at night. c. on roller skates. d. with an adult you trust.

When choosing a costume, it is safer to choose one a. that is dark in color. b. that is scary. c. that avoids billowing or long, trailing fabric. d. while you are eating pickles.

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When trick-or-treating, what should you always carry? a. Jack-o-lantern. b. Toy weapon. c. Flashlight. d. Credit card.

Should you go inside someone’s house when trickor-treating? a. Yes. b. No. c. Maybe? d. Don’t know.

Should you eat your treats right away? a. Only from the homes of people I know. b. Why not? Doesn’t chocolate go bad? c. If I don’t eat it, some else will! d. No. Let a caregiver inspect the candy first.

ANSWER KEY: 1-c; 2-d; 3-c; 4-c; 5-b; 6-a

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HaPpy HaLlowEen!

USE A FLASHLIGHT Hold a flashlight to make sure drivers see you. If you want to make it more fun, hold a bike light and set it to its strobe function, or tie a couple glow sticks to the costume. Make sure they are in a place that will be visible, especially when crossing the road, but don’t shine it directly at drivers as it may distract them.

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REFLECTIVE TAPE Place some reflective tape on your child’s costume, and candy bucket.

Adding a couple pieces of reflective safety tape can add to the visibility of your child’s costume, and make them easier to spot as they are walking along the sidewalk, or crossing the street.

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KNOW HOW TO CROSS SAFELY If you happen to let your child out alone or walk ahead of you make sure they know the rules of crossing the road. Make sure they know to look both ways, and when it is safe to cross. Also underscore the importance of not stepping out into the road from between parked cars, or potential blind spots from the road.

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GO OUT IN A GROUP Avoid going trick or treating alone, going in a group will make your kids more visible. If possible make sure they go to yourself or a trusted adult.

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DROP OFF & PICK UP When dropping off your kids find a safe place to park, turn on your hazard lights, and make sure you alert other motorists of your intentions by signaling. If you notice someone trying to pass you as your kids are approaching or leaving the vehicle give your horn a beep to alert them to the danger.

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HOLD HANDS If you have an especially little ghost or just enjoy embarrassing your older monster. Hold their hand and guide them across the road.

What is Health literacy?

October is National Health Literacy Month. Health literacy refers to the ability of people to find, understand, and use information and services to make informed health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.

Fun Activities to Practice and Learn About Health Literacy!

Get involved in the kitchen! You can help your adults make shopping lists, gather ingredients, prepare recipes.

HEALTHY FROZEN BANANA POPS INGREDIENTS • 3/4 cup strawberry yogurt • 2 cups Fruity Pebbles cereal • 4 medium bananas, peeled and cut crosswise in half • 8 wooden pop sticks DIRECTIONS 1. Place yogurt and cereal in separate shallow bowls. Insert pop sticks through cut side of bananas. Dip bananas in yogurt, then roll in cereal to coat. Transfer to waxed paper-lined baking sheets.

2. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Transfer to airtight freezer containers; seal containers and return pops to freezer.

TEST KITCHEN TIPS Switch it up with vanilla yogurt and Cocoa Pebbles cereal.

In a recipe this simple, it pays to use bananas that are ripe and sweet but still firm. Look for bananas that have little or no green on them and no brown or black spots. This is a smart way to use up a bunch of extra bananas before they overripen.

Nutrition Facts 1 pop: 106 calories, 1g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 57mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fruit.

If you have ideas, questions or topics you would like to see covered in our upcoming editions, please submit them to our email box at TheOtherSide@cyfsolutions.org.