Prevent terrifying injuries on Halloween
Halloween is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be about wearing silly or scary costumes, eating sugar and enjoy the company of friends.
But there are risks to the holiday and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission wants people to know about them. From October to November last year, the commission estimates that there were 4,500 Halloweenrelated injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
Of those, the bulk — 44 percent — were related to pumpkin carving. Another 25 percent were due to falls while putting up or taking down decorations, tripping on costumes or while walking and trickortreating. About 27 percent of injuries included lacerations and other injuries associated with costumes, pumpkins or decorations; and 4 percent were due to allergic reactions or rashes.
To help prevent injuries, the commission offered several safety tips including:
* Not letting children do any of the pumpkin carving and leaving the sharp objects to adults.
* Illuminating pumpkins with batteryoperated lights rather than an openflame candle.
* When selecting fabric for homemade costumes, choose polyester or nylon and not sheer cotton or rayon which burn more rapidly. Any fabric can burn if it comes in contact with an open flame.
* Never drag a costume over an open flame such as a candle burning in a jacko’lantern on a neighbor’s porch when trickortreating.
* Avoid baggy or oversized costumes.
* Eye and nose holes in masks should permit full visibility and adequate breathing. Makeup may be a safer alternative.
*Pay attention to placement of decorations. To help prevent falls, remove obstacles from lawns, steps and porches when expecting trickortreaters.