It’s Halloween, the one night of the year when begging is encouraged, scares are fun, and playing dress-up is the order of the day.
Inspired by pagan harvest rituals, Halloween has become a major commercial holiday, second only to Christmas in spending.
However, amid the candy, costumes and entertainment, there is an increased risk of injury. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, 3,200 Halloween-related emergency room visits were made between 2019 and 2022.
Experts have weighed in on the top Halloween “don’ts” they have for their kids, plus preventative measures parents can take to ensure their ghosts and ghouls stay safe on Halloween night.
Don’t leave your flashlight at home
Experts recommend adding a flashlight to your child’s arsenal to light the way at night. A flashlight ensures that children can safely navigate dark streets and uneven terrain, reducing the risk of injury from falling or tripping.
Dr. Karen Goodman, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, told TODAY.com that flashlights, which provide 360 degrees of light, are the best option and can easily be incorporated into a creepy costume.
Don’t wear a mask they can’t see through
It’s function over fashion when it comes to Halloween masks. Just as your baby needs to be able to see in the dark, he also needs to be able to see out of any creepy mask, especially in the evening when visibility is impaired.
Goodman suggests doing a vision check of the mask to make sure the mask’s eye holes are in the right place. If vision is limited, parents can enlarge the eye holes or suggest a different costume.
She also recommends doing this vision test before you go trick-or-treating to avoid any potential meltdowns.
“(Kids) may put the mask on right before or when they go outside and suddenly realize they can’t see anything, but then they don’t want to take the mask off,” she explained.
Do not wear a suit that is too restrictive
In addition to checking the masks for vision obstruction, Goodman recommends a practice run to test the suits for mobility—and she’s not the only one who calls for caution.
Dr. Lisa Gaw, a pediatrician with Texas Children’s Urgent Care, told TODAY.com, “If it’s hard for them to walk in the daylight, imagine them trying to trick or treat in the dark with it.” .
Keep an eye out for clothes that are too long, bulky or uncomfortable, as they can increase the likelihood of your little one falling. Make sure they can get up and down the stairs without incident, and don’t be afraid to make last-minute cuts and crops.
Parents should also consider investing in high-quality or handmade suits, as disposable polyester suits designed to be worn only once can expose children to toxins that have been linked to cancer and can disrupt the reproductive, immune and metabolic systems. .
Do not access it with sharp supports
Many Halloween costumes require props that can be used as weapons. After all, what’s a pirate without a sword or a wizard without a wand?
“Whether it’s a sword, club, spear or club — anything with a sharp edge, even if it’s plastic, can be dangerous,” Goodman said.
In the spirit of “getting into character,” kids can be reckless with their props, causing accidental hits or other injuries. To avoid disaster, choose parents should choose flexible tipped props made of soft materials.
Do not wear face paint without a skin test
Parents should always choose non-toxic and child-safe face paints. Experts note that you can check the FDA’s list of color additives to see if the colors in these paints are FDA-approved; this is especially important for any makeup intended for use around the eye area.
Experts also recommend a skin test, applying a small amount of the product to the lower arm to ensure there is no irritation or allergic reaction.
A banned costumes for children? Novelty, colored contact lenses like those sold online and in costume shops have not been approved by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. These lenses can cause serious eye problems and infections, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
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Image Source : nypost.com