Whether you’re a ghost, vampire, or princess, staying safe this Halloween should be the number one priority.
No matter how you celebrate the holiday, remember these practices to help keep you, your family, and others safe.
While preparing your costume, no matter how scary, consider adding bright colors or reflective tape. This is also a great addition to trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility during the dark fall evenings.
Making sure your child is easily seen ensures their safety while crossing the street and helps you identify them among a crowd. Another item to keep in mind while costume shopping is sizing. Costumes that are too big or have dragging pieces lead to easier tripping and increased injury. A fun night can easily turn into a night at the ER with a trip over the curb or fall down the stairs.
Many costumes also include elaborate face painting or colorful eyes. While these additions can make any costume more fun, they can also lead to irritation. Many face paints and contacts sold for Halloween purposes contain toxic ingredients that children could be allergic to. Instead, try to purchase non-toxic or hypoallergenic brands and only wear contacts recommended by an ophthalmologist. It can also be beneficial to test the makeup on a small patch of skin ahead of time. This will allow you to check for any irritation before lathering it all over to help avoid a very grumpy child with itchy and irritated skin on Halloween night.
While out trick-or-treating, there are a few things to remember. Children can easily become overexcited and run into dangerous areas; holding hands is one good way to be able to react and help stop them. When moving from street to street, make sure to always cross at designated cross walks. Even when using a cross walk, stay alert! Drivers can easily become distracted by decorations, costumes, or their phones.
If you are passing out candy to the local kiddos, complete a safety checklist to prevent any injuries on your property. Start by removing any tripping hazards on your steps or porch. Garden hoses, bikes, toys, and lawn decorations can all become a hazard for a trick-or-treater with a vision impairing mask or for anyone in the dark. You can also sweep wet leaves off the sidewalk to prevent any slipping. If your pets are home, consider keeping them inside to prevent any unwanted attention. Costumes can be scary for pets and lead to unusual behavior. Even the nicest of dogs can be triggered by a mask, sword, or loud group of people.
Remembering these few simple details will help keep your holiday safe, fun-filled, and memorable! Plan your costume, enjoy dressing up with friends and family, and indulge in all the candy and excitement! Don’t forget- safe can still be fun!
To view the article in the online 2022 Fall Partners Magazine, click here.
