Halloween is fun for families, but it also comes with risks. Some tips to keep you and your family safe

By Sherri Hannan
University of Kentucky

The spooky season is here.

Next week is Halloween and the kids are certainly looking forward to wearing their costumes and getting as much candy as possible.

Although Halloween is a fun holiday for families, it can also be one of the most dangerous holidays. Halloween poses several health risks that parents, children and young adults should keep in mind before the holiday.

Here are a few tips to help kids and adults stay safe and enjoy a fun night of trick-or-treating.

Child and Pedestrian Safety: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween night than any other night. Because trick-or-treaters run from house to house in dark costumes, it can be difficult for drivers to spot them, which can lead to accidents.

To prevent this, neighborhoods should monitor speeding while trick-or-treating and parents should make sure their child wears reflective or colorful items like glow sticks on their costumes or candy bags. Trick-or-treaters at all stadiums should stay near sidewalks and look both directions before crossing the street.

Costume safety: Choosing the perfect costume makes Halloween special, but certain costumes can pose a safety risk. Long costumes like princess dresses can cause tripping, some types of face paint can cause rashes, and unsafe accessories like swords can cause injuries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission mentions that tripping or falling out of costumes is the second most common injury on Halloween.

When choosing a costume, make sure it is the right length to avoid falls and use non-toxic and FDA-approved face paint. If you or your child decide to wear decorative contact lenses, make sure they are prescribed by a professional to avoid eye injuries.

Food allergies: The candy collected on Halloween can pose a hidden danger to children and young adults with food allergies. Children may get excited about eating candy before parents can check what’s in their buckets.

To prevent allergic reactions, parents should make sure their child’s candy does not contain anything they are allergic to. Teens and young adults need to be careful about what they eat this Halloween or make sure they have their Epi-Pen with them in case of a reaction. Parents can also look for teal pumpkins on porches. This is generally a sign that there are treats specifically designed for children with allergies.

Halloween can pose many health risks throughout the night that you should be aware of, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Remember to be careful when crossing streets, choose safe costumes, and check candy for food allergies to ensure an amazing and spooky vacation.

Above all, remember to have fun and create lasting memories this Halloween.

Sherri Hannan is a nurse at Kentucky Children’s Hospital and coordinator for Safe Kids Fayette County.