Halloween safety: Tips to avoid the ER

The air is crisp, autumn leaves are falling and Halloween is here – and with it, many safety considerations to avoid the emergency room (ER). Keep these tips in mind while you enjoy the sights and tastes of the holiday. 

Choosing a safe, healthy costume  

Make sure you or your little one’s costume is bright and reflective so it’s visible enough. Add reflective tape if you need to. Glow sticks and flashlights can also come in handy.  

If your costume includes makeup, do a spot test at least one day in advance. A small amount of makeup on your arm will help you see if any signs of irritation or allergies occur. You can see if your makeup’s color additives are approved by the FDA here. And of course, be sure to take off your makeup or your child’s makeup before going to bed. 

• Make sure any costume is a comfortable length or make adjustments  
• Prefer hats and makeup over masks that can obscure vision 
• Stick to eye makeup for eyes, lipstick for lips, etc. 
• Only use colored contact lenses approved by an eye care professional, (others may damage eyes) 

 Have a Halloween route and plan 

Make sure there’s a responsible, alert adult with your young children at all times. Children are twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car during Halloween than any other time. Talk to older children about a safe route, especially staying on the same side of the street instead of constantly crossing it. Remind them to use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible. 

• No one should go inside the home of a stranger to get candy.  
• Stay in neighborhoods familiar to you.  
• Make sure everyone has an agreed-upon time to be home.  
• Adults and children alike should walk with a friend so everyone can get to their destination without trouble. 

Driving safety on Halloween 

Keep in mind that there will be more pedestrians out and about, especially children who might not always remember to look before running out.  

• Check between parked cars and landscaping.  
• Take your time, it won’t hurt to wait for them to pass. 
• If you see someone driving in a manner that makes you suspicious that they’re driving under the influence, alert law enforcement. 
• As always, don’t look at your phone while driving; keep your attention on the road.  

 Check and keep safe, tasty treats 

There’s often a spike in tree and nut allergy-related visits to the ER around Halloween, so if you or a loved one have allergy concerns, look at the treat’s label to make sure allergens that affect you or your loved ones aren’t included.  

Remember:  

• Don’t let children eat candy until you’ve checked it.  
• Look for evidence of tampering and don’t let children eat anything unwrapped 
• If something looks suspicious, throw it away. Remember, you can always replace the candy in question if the idea of tossing it breaks your heart (or your child's). 
• Some snacks, candy or toys could be choking hazards for children. 

Throwing safe Halloween parties 

When you’re hosting a Halloween celebration, take charge and make sure your guests stay safe. Make sure you know who all is entering and exiting your home. Keep your trick-or-treating entrance well-lit. Use a smart doorbell or camera with night vision if possible since some folks get up to mischief you may not want to have to deal with on Halloween.  

While planning for your party, consider whether you have enough food and drinks, not only alcoholic beverages. Make sure you have plenty of water on hand. Consider sharing allergy warnings on applicable dishes. During your party, make sure to grab car keys from guests who are imbibing and keep them in an appropriate place. Realize that under some laws, if it occurs, you could be responsible for underage drinkers.  

Stay safe at home: 

• If you’re leaving or turning in for the night, arm your alarm system or at least make sure to lock all doors.  
• Store all medications where children can’t get to them; you don’t want medicine and candy to accidentally get mixed together, which can cause confusion.  
• Experts advise using battery-operated flames in your Jack-o-lantern instead of lighting a candle. 

We hope you have a safe and fun Halloween, but if you do need emergency care, we are here for you. Learn more about our emergency care.