Mega Doctor News
Halloween may be known for its tricks and treats, but amid the excitement of the holiday, potential hazards can quickly turn a night of fun into an unexpected trip to the emergency room.
An estimated 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated each year in U.S. hospital emergency departments, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Falls, pumpkin carving and other injuries involving costumes and decorations are among the leading causes.
Meanwhile, Safe Kids Worldwide reports that children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on other days of the year.
With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s is reminding Rio Grande Valley families and motorists to stay alert and take simple precautions to help keep the holiday safe.
“Children are often so excited about dressing up and collecting candy that they forget to pay attention to what’s happening around them,” said Santos Cantu, MD, a pediatric and emergency medicine physician and medical director of the STHS Children’s Emergency Department. “Before heading out, parents should take a few minutes to go over some basic safety rules with their kids, especially when it comes to crossing streets and staying together.”
Whether trick-or-treating through the neighborhood or celebrating at home, STHS Children’s encourages families to keep these safety tips in mind:
Choose costumes carefully: Make sure costumes fit properly to help prevent trips and falls. Choose flame-resistant materials and avoid masks that can obstruct a child’s vision. Consider using non-toxic face paint instead. Properly fitting costumes and good visibility are also recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Be visible after dark: Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and candy bags and give children flashlights or glow sticks so drivers can see them more easily.
Practice pedestrian safety: Use sidewalks and designated crosswalks whenever possible and remind children to look carefully before crossing. Never dart into the street from between parked vehicles.
Stick together: Young children should always trick-or-treat with an adult. Older children should travel in groups, remain in familiar areas and establish a time to return home. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends adult supervision for children under 12.
Check Halloween treats: Inspect candy before children eat it, discard anything with opened or damaged packaging. Parents should also consider potential choking hazards and food allergies.
Prevent decorating hazards: Keep walkways, steps and hallways clear of cords and other obstacles that could cause falls. Consider battery-operated lights or glow sticks instead of open-flame candles in jack-o’-lanterns.
While children and parents have an important role to play, drivers should be especially cautious on Halloween night. Motorists are encouraged to slow down in residential neighborhoods, eliminate distractions and remain alert for children who may unexpectedly enter the roadway. Safe Kids Worldwide similarly advises drivers to slow down and stay alert because excited trick-or-treaters may dart into the street.
“It only takes a split second for an accident to happen,” said Cantu. “We want families to enjoy Halloween without having to worry about an injury. That’s why it’s so important for everyone, especially drivers, to stay alert and look out for one another.”
Parents should also remind children to visit well-lit homes, never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle and immediately notify a trusted adult if they feel unsafe or become separated from their group.
Even with the right precautions, emergencies can happen. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. For other serious injuries, seek care at the nearest emergency department.
STHS Children’s is home to the largest pediatric emergency department in the Rio Grande Valley, providing specialized emergency care for children. For more information, visit the STHS Children’s website.
