[Written by Richa Sharma, MD, Chief of Pediatrics, St. Peter’s Hospital, provider at St. Peter’s Pediatrics.]
Tonight’s the big night – Halloween has arrived! Although concerns about the safety of treats comes up every year, the fact is most injuries that send kids to emergency departments on this holiday have nothing to do with candy.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission recently noted that an average of 3,200 people are treated in emergency departments each year for Halloween-related injuries. The most common reasons kids visited the hospital were burns from flammable costumes, eye injuries from sharp objects, and injuries from collisions with vehicles.
Kids will be visiting porches with pumpkins that could have lit candles inside, or even attending parties with a fire pit. A flammable costume can ignite quickly, even from brief contact with a fire source, so make sure all wigs, costumes and accessories are marked as “fire-resistant.” Exercise caution even with flame-resistant costumes, as long sleeves and flowing capes can present a hazard.
If your child is wearing a mask, make sure it fits properly and they can breathe normally. The eyeholes should be large enough to allow full vision, and check for rough edges that could cause an eye abrasion.
If his/her costume has accessories like a sword, wand or cane, it is safest if they are made of soft, flexible material. This will help reduce the severity of any eye injuries in the event the child trips or swings the item with other children around.
Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, here are some things you can do to help keep them safe:
- Carry flashlights with fresh batteries and glow sticks for all children and escorts.
- If the costume is dark, decorate it with reflective tape or fabric paint on both the front and back. Reflective tape is available in hardware, bicycle and sporting goods stores.
- Shoes should fit well and be sturdy; keep in mind your child will be walking up steps and over unfamiliar terrain.
- Stay in a group on well-lit streets and sidewalks.
- Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing pedestrians – just because one car stops doesn’t mean others will.
- Be alert! Children and parents alike need to stow away the smart phone; don’t be staring at your device when you should be aware of your surroundings.
Once home, it’s time to dump out the loot and inspect the candy! If your child has food allergies, check labels and remove items they cannot eat. Parents of young children should look for choking hazards like peanuts, gum, hard candies, etc. Any candy with an open or torn wrapper should be discarded.
St. Peter’s Pediatrics on the St. Peter’s Medical Campus, 1 Tallow Wood Drive in Clifton Park, offers a complete range of services for children from newborns to age 18. Services include well-child routine care, sick child exams, school and camp physicals, sports physicals, immunizations, health maintenance and education. Call 518-688-0295 for an appointment, or visit us at https://www.sphp.com/location/st-peters-pediatrics.
