Halloween is a night for dressing up, spending time with friends, and of course trick or treating. But for some families Halloween can get really scary if there’s an accident or medical emergency. Here are some tips on avoiding the top three causes of Halloween ER visits.
- Pedestrian collisions with cars: All those trick-or-treaters roaming the neighborhood means higher risk of an accident.
- Make sure that everyone in your group is visible to drivers by adding glow sticks, shiny jewelry, or reflective tape to costumes. That’s especially important if a costume is a dark color.
- Be sure to cross the street at corners and stay on the sidewalk whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, stay on the shoulder of the road, and walk facing traffic.
- Remind kids not to run between houses and to look both ways before crossing the street. Younger children should hold an adult’s hand to cross.
- If you’re driving on Halloween night, pay extra attention when you’re navigating residential areas.
- Eye injuries, usually from sharp objects: The decorations, costumes, and often frenetic pace of Halloween mean that kids are at greater risk for a poke in the eye.
- Make sure that any costume accessories are made of soft, flexible plastic and have rounded edges.
- When decorating your yard, place items with sharp edges, such as scarecrows, far from foot traffic.
- Remember that kids won’t always stay on sidewalks and walkways. Clear the yard of any toys, sticks, or other items that could pose a tripping or puncture hazard.
- Maintain a safe pace during trick or treating. Remind kids to walk instead of run, so that they’re less likely to trip and fall on a part of their costume, a yard decoration, or yard debris.
- Burns: That eerie glow from candles can pose a threat to kids who aren’t paying attention to candlelit decorations.
- Make sure that both costumes and accessories (including masks or wigs) are flame resistant. Check the labels to see if costumes comply.
- Replace tea lights with battery-operated candles in your jack-o-lantern.
- Inside the house, place candles out of reach of kids, their costumes, and even the dog’s tail.
If you have questions about keeping your family safe this Halloween, please contact us at Central Florida Regional Hospital. Serving Seminole and Volusia Counties, our Consult-a-Nurse® staff is available 24 hours a day to answer your questions. Call 1-800-445-3392 to speak to a registered nurse today.
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