Three Simple Ways to Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy This Halloween
Halloween is a day many look forward to each year. Before you and your loved ones head out for a night of spooktacular fun—dressing up in costumes, going door to door for candy, and attending parties—take a few moments to plan ahead. A little preparation can help make this Halloween a safe and healthy experience for the whole family—with no tricks, just treats!
Research from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System has shown that Halloween ranks among the top five holidays for emergency room visits. Unfortunately, accidents happen all the time. However, there are some ways to avoid common occurrences.
Here are some tips to ensure you have an enjoyable Halloween.
Three Tips to Stay Safe & Healthy This Halloween
1. Ensure All Treats Are Safe
All candy and treats collected while trick-or-treating or from parties should be inspected before eating. Inspection from a responsible adult helps decrease the risk of eating something that’s been tampered with and minimizes the risk of choking.
Things to remember:
- Throw out all candy that’s not in the original wrapper or has been unwrapped, torn, soiled, or is in suspicious packaging.
- Separate edible treats from non-edible items.
- Always read labels to avoid a food allergy catastrophe.
2. Take Health Precautions
Halloween can be a fun time where celebration and excitement can overshadow the caution around general health precautions.
It is important to:
- Stay at home if you are sick to protect yourself and others.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Try to ration treats throughout the week instead of eating them all in one night.
- Be cautious about what children put in their mouths, like glow sticks that carry toxic amounts of luminescent liquid.
3. Follow The Safe Trick or Treat Trail
Most of the Halloween fun occurs after dark, so it is critical to prepare and stay alert.
To avoid the most common accidents on Halloween night:
- Only go to homes with porch lights on.
- Never enter a home or car for treats.
- Stay in a group and communicate with a responsible adult.
- Remain in well-lit areas and always use the sidewalk.
Common “Halloween Boo-Boos” that Send Kids to the ER
Accidents can happen anytime, especially when everyone’s focused on fun, like on Halloween night. Here are some of the most common “boos-boos” that land children in the ER.
- Allergic Reactions & Candy Hazards
Some treats may contain allergens such as nuts, dairy, or gluten. Actually, most Halloween candy contains common food allergens, putting those with food allergies at higher risk. Even small amounts can trigger a serious reaction. - Trips and Falls Due to Costume Mishaps
Oversized shoes, long capes, or masks that block vision can cause trips and falls. - Burns from Candles or Jack-o’-Lanterns
Open flames in pumpkins, luminaries, or decorations can lead to burns if children get too close. - Choking on Candy or Small Toys
Hard candies, gum, or small toys in treat bags can be a choking hazard, especially for younger kids.
Discover 24/7 Spooktacular Care
Halloween should be all treats and no tricks, but accidents can happen at any time. NW Indiana ER & Hospital is here around the clock to provide expert care for children and adults who may experience an emergency on Halloween night. From minor “boos-boos” like scrapes and candy mishaps to more serious issues like allergic reactions, our dedicated team is ready to help your family stay safe and healthy.
Remember to stay safe, enjoy the fun, and have a happy, healthy Halloween!
Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, NW Indiana ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
