Halloween can be scary during flu time

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - With H1N1 on parents' minds as of late, Halloween can be a scary thought.

But Scott & White Healthcare offered some tips on how to keep kids healthy during the festivities. Here are some germ-avoiding tricks, while you are treating:

• Remind children to cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when they sneeze, or sneeze into their elbow
• Wash hands thoroughly before eating any treats or pack some hand sanitizer in case your kiddos cannot wait until they get home
• Do not allow sharing or trading of costume masks
• Discourage kids from touching their faces, since that is the quickest way to spread germs and contract viruses.

With children going door-to-door and accepting candy from so many people, parents need to take extra precautions, but it is certainly no reason to keep the kids inside this year.