7 Tips for a Fun and Safe Halloween
Halloween and fall festivals are an exciting time for kids to dress up as their favorite characters, enjoy children’s parties, and go trick-or-treating.
But there are potential dangers lurking for young children this time of year as well. What should you know to make sure your child has a happy and healthy Halloween?
Tips for Halloween safety
Halloween comes around only once a year and many children love the chance to dress in costume and indulge their sweet tooth. Take steps to make sure that they stay safe during this exciting time. The following seven Halloween safety tips can help you provide a safe Halloween experience for your child.
Stay in groups
Children should never go out alone. Make sure children either walk with a trusted adult, or walk in groups with other children and a responsible adult nearby.
Be visible
It is best to trick-or-treat in well-lit areas. But as days get shorter, kids may want to go out after dusk. It can be difficult for drivers to see children in dark-colored costumes, and children may not always use designated crosswalks when crossing the street.
In order to avoid risk, add reflective tape and/or flashing LED lights to bags and costumes, and teach kids to look both ways before crossing the street at designated areas.
Children and teens walking about can also be given flashlights to make it easier for them to see as it gets dark. This can make it easier for kids and drivers to see each other and prevent an accident.
Choose safe accessories
Many costumes come with accessories, and not all of those pretend knives and swords are safe for young children. Hard, inflexible fake swords can pose a danger as children play out scenes with friends. Be sure to choose soft, flexible and short accessories to reduce the possibility of injuries from playful role-play.
In addition, make sure costumes are well-fitted and that children can see easily, in their masks. If the mask’s holes for they eyes aren’t large enough, a little modification with some scissors will help!
Check for choking hazards
Adults need to examine any candy received before consumption to look for choking hazards or tampering. Very young children may not be able to handle sticky, caramel treats, and children should also not be running while consuming lollipops or other candies on sticks.
Avoid homemade treats
While caramel apples or cookies made by strangers may look inviting, kids need to be taught not to eat such treats from people they do not know. Stick to treats that are factory-wrapped and show no signs of tampering.
Avoid decorative contact lenses
These types of lenses come in a range of choices and may look like an attractive Halloween accessory for older children and teens. However, they increase a wearer’s risk for eye injury and can also impair vision while being worn.
Test Halloween makeup
Adults and children can develop an allergic reaction or rash to certain types of makeup. Test new Halloween makeup on a small area to check for any reaction. Also, all makeup should be removed before bedtime to prevent eye or skin irritation.
Experience a Halloween injury or skin irritation?
Even with the best guidance, some children experience an allergic reaction from costumes or makeup (such as itching or rashes), or may experience bumps, bruises or falls while trick-or-treating. If this happens, look for an urgent care center near you.