Halloween: 5 Tips To Prevent Trick-Or-Treaters From Making A Trip To The ER

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids that allows them to dress up as their favorite characters and decorate for the holiday.

To help ensure children enjoy have a safe holiday and avoid a trip to the emergency room, doctors at Dell Children’s Medical Center, part of Ascension, recommend “five Cs” that everyone should keep in mind for Halloween:

1. Costumes – Beware of costumes that impair your field of vision, constrict breathing, or prevent your arms and legs from functioning normally. If possible, wear costumes that are easier to see in the dark or are marked with reflective tape. Be mindful that costumes incorporating fake knives, swords and guns can still cause injuries and may even be mistaken as real weapons.
2. Candy –  Inspect your candy, but the biggest danger comes from choking. Also, be mindful if your child is allergic to certain foods or nuts that can be found in candy. Some households will display a ‘teal pumpkin’ on the doorstep to indicate they are aware of food allergies and have non-food treats available, such as glow sticks or small toys.
3. Carving – Don’t let children handle knives when carving pumpkins. Adults should also be extra careful when handling sharp objects.
4. Cars – Trick-or-treaters: Keep an eye out for cars and look both ways while trick-or-treating in the dark. Drivers: Watch out for trick-or-treaters who may dart out into the street.
5. Candles –  Stay away from open candles and flames from lanterns. Use safer alternatives to candles like flash lights and glow sticks. Also, when choosing a costume, look for flame-resistant fabrics or the label “Flame Resistant.”

Additional safety tips can be found on the American Academy of Pediatrics website.