Graceful Health: Some Tips For A Safe And Fun Halloween

Halloween can be a very fun and festive event. Tis the season for creative decorations, costumes, parties, and of course, treats. Unfortunately, Halloween can be full of injuries and illnesses that can ruin the fun. While we can't give you any helpful advice on dealing with the Headless Horseman, a few helpful "hints" can reduce the risk of one of these common incidents happening to you or a loved one!

First of all, the main cause of injury is the costume and its elements. Even in professional hands, clothing can be dangerous. Walt Disney World reported nearly 300 costume-related injuries in 2005, according to OSHA.

A piece of clothing directed at the head or face often restricts the user's vision and makes them vulnerable to hitting objects or other people, as well as tripping over obstacles and stairs. Clothing that is too long or loose may cause the wearer to trip and fall, resulting in head or limb injuries.

Halloween costume makeup can also cause injury or illness. Often these cosmetics contain harsh oils or irritants that can cause itching, swelling of the lips and eyelids, or clogging of pores, causing blackheads. You can reduce this risk by limiting how long the product stays on the skin. Don't forget to remove your makeup and clean your skin thoroughly before going to bed.

Look for cosmetics that are hypoallergenic and non-toxic. If you have sensitive skin, it may be worth investing in professional theatrical makeup. It is especially worth noting that most costume cosmetics and artificial leather are made of latex, to which some people are highly allergic. Be sure to read the description of these key ingredients if you or your child is known to be sensitive to latex.

Halloween is a great time to check out your alter ego. Have you always wanted to be a clown? Scary witch? Vikings? Zombies? Superman?

If the superhero or warrior costume is equipped with accessories such as a sword, spear or bow and arrows, make sure that the child plays safely to avoid injuries. Every year, many people are injured by fake guns, and eye injuries are very common.

Another part of the costume to consider is the decorative contact lenses that allow the wearer to change the color and appearance of the eyes. This accessory comes in a variety of fun and scary designs! However, many of these eye protection products can block the flow of oxygen to the surface of the eye, cause scratches or injuries to the eye, or even cause bacterial infections. In some cases, permanent injuries and blindness have occurred. If changing the look of your eyes is important to your costume, look for FDA approved contact lenses for cosplay and costumes.

Candy is, of course, an important part of Halloween, especially for children. Kids are thrilled to come home with a bag full of candy on Halloween night, but they may need help cutting down on their intake. Of course, eating too much sugary food at once can cause stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea.

Halloween also often brings treats to kids that they wouldn't otherwise eat. It can cause an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity. Nuts, eggs, milk and wheat are among the most common ingredients that cause allergies. It's best to limit the amount and type of candy your child eats and read the ingredients carefully.

If you or your child have a reaction to candy or suspect poisoning, you can call the poison control center for advice at 800-222-1222.

Also, if you have dental fillings, be careful with sticky candies, as they can cause the filling to come off, as the American Dental Association states, "Be picky about how sticky it is."

Finally, remember that treats are often dangerous for our pets. Raisins, chocolate and sugar substitutes are especially dangerous. If your pet has ingested candy or something dangerous, you can call the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

The centuries-old tradition of pumpkin carving is really fun! What face will you shape this year? Remember that carving a pumpkin can cause injury if done with the wrong tools and without the supervision of a child. Kitchen knives are often too long or too sharp and can cause cuts and punctures to hands and fingers. There are inexpensive pumpkin carving kits that can reduce the risk of injury to you or your child.

Candles are often used in Halloween decorations. Flashing lights add to the "spooky" atmosphere. However, candles can cause a house fire or burn clothes. A safe alternative would be to use LED lights. Also, when decorating, avoid using long or poor-quality extension cords, which can cause unnecessary fires. Do not place string or decorations on public sidewalks to prevent friends and visitors from tripping and falling.

Road safety is also a top priority during Halloween. Hunt or treat naturally attracts more people after dark, and the incidence of children being hit by vehicles increases significantly during this holiday. Most of these collisions do not occur at crosswalks, and sunset is one of the most dangerous times due to limited visibility for drivers. Make sure you and your children use flashlights and reflectors to improve the driver's visibility, and always cross the road at crosswalks.

Finally, Halloween is often associated with a holiday and can lead to increased levels of impaired driving and drug- and alcohol-related injuries and deaths. Make sure you and your friends arrange safe and quiet transport to and from your planned holiday in advance.

Don't let these words of warning scare you away from the fun! With these active "tips", your Halloween can be great!

Phil Schafer, PA, graduated from Kettering Medical College with a degree in emergency medicine and thoracic surgery. He has been a practicing physician assistant since 1995 and worked in Michigan before joining the emergency department staff at Grace Cottage in 2021. He is also trained as an emergency physician.

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