Prioritizing Halloween Safety During Celebrations

Halloween in Texas is a festive time, filled with costumes, candy, and neighborhood celebrations. However, it’s important to remember that Halloween safety should always be a top priority. Physicians Premier is dedicated to family health and wants to assist families in making this Halloween a safe and delightful experience. Whether it’s choosing safe and visible costumes, inspecting treats, or supervising young trick-or-treaters, taking the necessary precautions can make a difference in keeping the festivities fun and safe.

Costume Safety: Fit and Visibility

• Fit – Oversized costumes can cause trips and falls. Make sure that the costume fits well, especially around the feet. For younger children, check how well they can move in their costumes before Halloween.
• Visibility – Choose costumes that are easily visible in the dark. Light-colored costumes or those with reflective elements are ideal. If a costume is dark, attach reflective tape or stickers.
• Face Masks – Masks can obstruct vision. Consider using face paint instead, but always test for skin allergies before full application.

Safe Trick-or-Treating

• Accompanied Minors – Children under 12 should always be accompanied by an adult during trick-or-treating.
• Route Planning – Discuss the trick-or-treat route beforehand. This sets boundaries and return times for older kids who may go without adults.
• Stay Illuminated – Give children flashlights or glow sticks for visibility. 
• House Safety – Teach children to only visit well-lit homes and never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle.

Candy Check

• Inspect Before Consuming – Before kids start eating their treats, make sure to check all candy. Look out for candy that appears tampered with, has loose wrappers, or is homemade by strangers.
• Allergy Awareness – If your child has food allergies, read candy labels carefully. Consider participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, which promotes allergy-safe treats.
• Choking Hazards – Some candies or toys could be potential choking hazards, especially for younger kids. Items like gum, hard candies, and small toys should be given extra attention.

Road Safety

• Cross with Care – Always use crosswalks. Teach children to look left, right, and then left again before crossing. 
• Stay on Sidewalks – If there aren’t sidewalks, walk facing the traffic and stay as far left as possible.
• Stay Alert – Drivers can be distracted or may not see children due to costumes or the dark. Kids should make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

Home Safety for Halloween Hosts

• Clear Pathways – Make sure that pathways are free from obstacles, especially those that are hard to see in the dark.
• Pet Precautions – Pets can become stressed with the influx of visitors. Consider keeping them in a separate room.
• Candle Caution – While jack-o’-lanterns are festive, open flames can pose risks. Battery-operated candles or LED lights are good options.

Social Considerations

• Health Precautions – Depending on the current situation, wearing masks and practicing hand hygiene may still be necessary. Follow local health guidelines and consider hosting or attending outdoor events when possible.
• Respectful Costumes – Encourage children to choose costumes that are respectful of cultural and racial groups. Halloween is for everyone, and being respectful ensures it stays fun for all.

With a little preparation and education, families can enjoy a memorable Halloween while minimizing risks. Physicians Premier, your local Ennis Joslin ER, wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween celebration!

Sources:

“Halloween Safety,” Safe Kids, https://www.safekids.org/halloween
“Halloween Health & Safety Tips,” Healthy Children, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Halloween-Safety-Tips.aspx
“Halloween Safety Tips: Costumes, Candy, and Colored Contact Lenses,” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/halloween-safety-tips-costumes-candy-and-colored-contact-lenses
“Halloween Safety,” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/100.pdf