Halloween is an exciting time for kids, but it is also a time to be especially cautious of safety hazards so that children can have a safe and fun Halloween. Community, Kimball and Monmouth medical centers, affiliates of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System, offer the following Halloween safety tips to help avoid a trip to the Emergency Department.
• Plan and wear costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent tripping.
• Secure emergency identification (i.e., name, address, telephone number) discreetly within Halloween attire.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider nontoxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives.
• Teach children how to call 911 if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 911 can be dialed free at any pay telephone.
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children while trick-or-treating.
• Use flashlights when trick-or-treating at night.
• Only trick-or-treat at homes with porch lights on in local, familiar neighborhoods.
• Bring all candy home before eating and have an adult can inspect it for tampering.
• Do not eat any unwrapped treats and discard homemade treats from strangers.
• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Have the children draw or paint on the pumpkin instead.
• If an adult does carve a pumpkin, use extreme caution using sharp knives. Consider using a pumpkin carving tool specially designed for this task.
• Place lighted pumpkins on sturdy tables. Consider using a flashlight inside a pumpkin instead of a lit candle.
Should any injuries or illness occur during Halloween, contact your pediatrician, visit your local Emergency Department, or if the matter is serious or life-threatening, always call 911.