According to recent studies, child pedestrian accidents are the #1 cause of Halloween-related injuries. For this reason, we believe you should know some basic Halloween safety tips to keep your kids safe, healthy, and happy this Halloween season (and for many more to come).
Halloween Safety Tip #1 – Make-Up Over Masks:
Masks are fun, but they have a tendency of limiting or blocking your child's vision. Instead, consider non-toxic makeup, so your child can see curbs, steps, and other trick-or-treaters.
Halloween Safety Tip #2 – Properly Fitted Costumes:
It's important to make sure costumes and shoes fit well, so you can help protect your child from tripping accidents, getting entangled on Halloween decorations, or coming in contact with open flames from sources like jack-o-lanterns.
Halloween Safety Tip #3 – Bright & Reflective Tools and Materials:
Since most kids trick-or-treat at or around dusk, it's smart to have your kids wear bright costumes when possible, and always carry a flashlight or glow stick. You can even consider reflective tape on their costumes and trick-or-treat bags to make sure others can see them (walkers and drivers).
Halloween Safety Tip #4 – Smart Accessories:
Accessories complete an outfit and are a blast for kids to take pictures with. However, those fun accessories can be dangerous objects while trick-or-treating. Make sure accessories like swords, canes, and sticks are not sharp, not too heavy, or not too long. Not only can your children easily hurt themselves if they stumble or trip, but they can injury other kids as well.
Halloween Safety Tip #5 – Rules of the Road:
Kids get excited on Halloween, so it's imperative to make sure they understand the rules of the road before venturing off. For example, they should know to stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk, to only cross the street as a group in well-marked crosswalks, and to never assume the right of way (always be cautious!).
Halloween Safety Tip #6 – Constant Communication:
When traveling in a group, which is the preferred way to trick-or-treat, staying in constant communication with others in the group is vital to staying safe. Kids will be excitedly talking to their friends, but they should also let each other know where they're headed or if they see anything suspicious. Of course, cell phones can be used in case of an emergency.
We hope your child or children stay safe this Halloween season! However, if they twist an ankle or fall on a wrist, elbow, or knee, please know that the physicians at Three Rivers Orthopedic Associates are here to help.
Happy Halloween!!!