Halloween is a time of carving pumpkins, costumes and trick-or-treating, however multiple accidents happen each year that can cause serious injury. With a few simple precautions you can make sure your loved ones Halloween is full of fun and excitement, without the danger.
Trick-or-treating is the highlight of every kid’s Halloween. When trick-or-treating, it’s a good idea to keep a few things in mind when thinking about costume and personal safety. Be sure to have proper footwear for walking that can support the distance you are traveling. Tennis shoes may not always match the costume, but they provide ankle and arch support for your kids while trekking for candy – and who’s to say a princess can’t be ready for a run in some stylin’ sneakers! Also, be sure costumes aren’t too loose fitting with the possibility of causing tripping. It’s also important to make sure that trick-or-treaters are visible to cars and other vehicles. The use of reflective tape or blinking lights on bags and costumes, and/or having trick-or-treaters use flashlights or headlamps can greatly increase the safety of a Halloween outing.
Carving pumpkins can be a great family event during Halloween, but hand injuries can be of concern in the hustle and bustle fall festivities! Hand injuries during pumpkin carving occur quickly and are more frequent than you might think. Pumpkins are slippery, and knives may be hard to control or tough to pull out of a pumpkin. An injury received during pumpkin carving can significantly injure muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, as well as quickly put an end to what should be a fun family event. Make sure to supervise kids who may be participating in the activity and use dry hands to avoid slippage. Avoid cutting toward yourself and be sure to make small controlled cuts. Small carving tools can be safer than kitchen knives – especially for younger carvers.
Halloween may bring potential dangers, but so do many holidays, the important thing to do is keep safety on the mind. With all the excitement, candy, and costumes it’s easy to get swept away and throw caution to the wind. A little bit of precaution goes a long way and can lead to a wonderful Halloween for all. So put on that pointy hat, hop on your broom stick and enjoy the night!
