Halloween is the perfect holiday to see children dressed up as goblins and ghouls, trick-or-treating, and having fun celebrating. October 31 is a holiday that children wait excitedly for.
But unfortunately Halloween is also the holiday when urgent care medical centers see a rise in patient visits, especially those of children with injuries and allergic reactions. To prevent the holiday injuries from putting a damper, here are a few safety tips you can follow for a fun and healthy Halloween.
- Make sure the color, fit, and length of costumes is not oversized or too long. If possible make your children wear bright colored costumes or the ones that are made using reflective materials. You could even add reflective tape to their costumes, bags, and other such accessories. This will make them easily visible to drivers. Also, ensure the material of the costumes is made of non-inflammable material. Double check the size of your child’s mask. It should not impair their vision.
- Have each kid carry a glow stick or flashlight when they are going from house to house trick-or-treating. Late evenings and the darkness add to the number of car accidents as do the intoxicated drivers on the road.
- Train your children about road safety rules ahead of the Halloween holiday. Teach them not to dart on to streets and how to wait and look for approaching vehicles before they attempt to cross the road.
- Do not allow children to carry sharp or pointed accessories when out on their own. It could injure other kids or even your own in the event they trip and fall. If they must carry a sword, knife, shield, or some accessory of this sort, ensure it is short, soft, and flexible.
- Any unwrapped or suspicious-looking candies or sweets should not be consumed. Also, if you have a food allergic child, ensure they do not consume any sweets or eatables that could carry potential allergens. Opt for non-food items while trick or treating.
- Do not send out children for trick-or-treating on an empty stomach. This will tempt them to snack on whatever is offered to them. Also, train and teach them on how to avoid sweets and treats that can cause harm.
- Children prone to skin or eye allergies should not be made to wear costumes that can cause an allergic reaction. Same goes with applying make-up or body paint. It is best to do a patch test ahead of time. If any make-up or paint is applied on Halloween night, it should be properly removed before the child goes to bed.
- If the costume requires that children wear contact lens to complete the Halloween look, do not opt for the non-prescription variety. Visit an eye care professional for an evaluation. Only after you receive confirmation that it is safe, should your child be allowed to sport any lens. Do not give in to your child’s pleadings. Contact lens are a foreign body and the eyes can get adversely affected for life to the extent of being permanently damaged. Companies that claim their lens are safe to use without a prescription are engaging in dangerous and illegal activity.
- All young children should be accompanied by adults and checked at specified intervals to ensure they are safe and unhurt. If possible pre-decide on a time for everyone to be home safely.
GMB Is Always There To Help You
At GMB Urgent Care Medical Billing we are there for you if you need us, but we also want you and your children to be safe and have an enjoyable Halloween. If you need any urgent care you know you can locate us: https://www.gablesmedicalbilling.com/contact/ here.
