Halloween Safety

This spooky October night can be an exciting time of make believe and “treats” for children, but the “trick” is to avoid the common injuries often associated with this holiday. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) unintentional injuries due to falls, burns, and traffic accidents, increase significantly. Prevent a frightful night by following a few tips and keep your little ones safe and sound this Halloween:

1. FallsFalls are the most common cause of injury to children during Halloween - not surprisingly as children are walking around in the dark!

• Carry a flash light when you are out trick-or-treating and shine it in the path of your child.
• Prevent children from tripping over costumes by shortening hemlines, tying up scarves or other dangling pieces.
• Only allow your child to wear their own comfortable shoes - don’t include high heels or adult shoes as part of the costume.
• Ensure your child has good peripheral vision. Make-up and non-toxic face paint is safer than masks. If you do include a mask cut the eye holes a little bigger (if you need to, prevent skin showing through, simply camouflage the area with a bit of black face paint). Avoid over-floppy hats or wigs that fall into the eyes.
• To help avoid injuries from falls select soft, flexible props and avoid objects that are sharp, pointy, or long.
• Make sure your walkway or steps are well lit to assist trick-or-treaters as they come to your door.

2. Fire and burns Candles in jack-o-lanterns combined with flammable fancy-dress costumes can result in a nasty burns.

• Costumes - including wigs and hats - should be made from flame retardant material or treated with a flame retardant spray.
• Take extra care if your child is wearing a baggy or flowy costume.
• Older children should practice the “drop and roll” technique.
• Choose electric candles to light your walkway or steps.

3. Pedestrian accidents The AAP says that a child is four times as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than at any other time.

• Remember standard road rules still apply! Look before crossing the street, walk on sidewalks.
• Work into the costume design a glow stick, flash light or other reflector - sew or stick reflectors on the back and front of the outfit.
• Refer to the old saying “walking at night, wear something white” - try to incorporate some light colors into the outfit, a child dressed in black is hard to find in a crowd, and hard for a passing motorist to see.
• Carry a cell phone and pin your number on your child’s back in case you get separated.

Happy trick-or-treating and keep safe.