Halloween night is a time where pumpkins glow, ghosts roam, and skeletons take to the streets! It’s usually a celebratory night, but there’s one spooky aspect we’d rather avoid – accidents and injuries.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates an average of 3,200 Halloween-related injuries happen every year. Read on to learn how to avoid 5 common Halloween injuries!
1. Traffic Accidents
Dark costumes are great at making trick-or-treaters look scary or mysterious, but they also make pedestrians invisible to drivers! It’s important to make sure that costumes have reflective elements, and to use flashlights. Be cautious crossing the street and be sure to follow pedestrian safety rules. If you are driving on Halloween night, be extra vigilant, drive slowly, and look out for trick-or-treaters.
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2. Trip and Falls
Dimly lit streets, tricky costumes, and all the Halloween excitement can lead to tumbles and falls. Be sure to watch out for uneven sidewalks and tangled costume accessories! These types of incidents can lead to anything from minor aches and pains to major injuries like sprains, strains, or even fractures.
3. Pumpkin Carving Incidents
Although picking out the perfect pumpkin and scooping out the seeds is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit, it’s also one of the most dangerous activities. Slippery pumpkins, sharp tools, and a lack of carving experience can result in cuts and injuries. It’s important to be careful when carving with sharp edged knives, as this increases your risk for cuts or lacerations.
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4. Costume Attire
Who says dressing up for Halloween can’t be both fun and safe? Avoid overly long or baggy costumes to prevent trips and falls. Costumes that are loose and flowy are more likely to become a fire hazard. If you’re wearing a mask, eye and nose holes should permit visibility and adequate breathing. To up your costume game while staying in the safety zone, go all out with bright colors, add some reflective tape, or light up the night with a flashlight or glow stick.
5. Candy Caution
Halloween and candy go together like witches and broomsticks. This is a once-a-year opportunity to dive headfirst into a sugar rush! Moderation is key. Be sure to also check that the candy is safe before eating it, inspect for unopened wrappers, unusual smells, or objects before indulging.
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