What can parents do to keep their kids out of the Emergency Room this Halloween?
We see a lot of injuries on Halloween due to inappropriate costumes. Kids fall because they can’t see well, or they trip over a costume that is too long. And sadly, there are kids who run out in front of cars.
To keep kids in costume safe, make sure others can see the kids easily at dusk and at night. Second, make sure costumes fit appropriately so kids don’t trip. And third, make sure any masks provide a good visual field so they can see their environment. Finally, but just as importantly, make sure costumes are fire-retardant in case kids get too close to candles or jack-o-lanterns.
In addition, we see a lot of people of all ages who cut themselves making costumes and carving pumpkins. Eye injuries from makeup and glitter and allergic reactions to makeup are also common. You need to be aware of the toxicity of the products used at Halloween because they are often not of the same quality as everyday products.
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John Phillips, M.D.
Director of Emergency Services at Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus
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