On an evening for treats, injuries can end up being the Halloween trick nobody wants. Every year, ill-fitting costumes are blamed forcuts, lacerations and fractures that send disappointed trick-or-treaters to the emergency room.
However, there are some simple things you can do before Halloween to lessen the chances of bumps in the night.
In this Mayo Clinic Minute, pediatrician Dr. Vandana Bhide offers ideas for making trick-or-treating safer for your family. Jeff Olsen reports.
Jeff Olsen: It’s all Halloween fun from this angle. Sound of child goofing around in front of the camera But how does it look from the trick-or-treater’s point of view?
VANDANA BHIDE, M.D. PEDIATRICS / INTERNAL MEDICINE Mayo Clinic: If your child is going to wear a mask, you want to make sure that the eye openings – that you can see very clearly, especially in the dark when they are going to be going from house to house.
Jeff Olsen: Mayo Clinic pediatrician Dr. Vandana Bhide says pay special attention to the other end of the costume, too.
Dr. Vandana Bhide: You know, they can stand still in front of the mirror and look great, but, then, actually moving in the costume can be difficult.
Jeff Olsen: So tie shoelaces tightly, and take a trick-or-treating test run.
Dr. Vandana Bhide: You don’t want the costume to drag on the ground, because it’s very easy to trip on that. Any kind of heavy boots or something that would impair a child’s mobility, it’s important to avoid that.
Graphic:
- Flame-resistant materials
- Safe accessories
- Stay on sidewalks
Jeff Olsen: Also, make sure all materials are flame-resistant; choose accessories that won’t cause injury; and stay on sidewalks whenever possible. Trick or treat! Plan ahead – from top to bottom – and Halloween can be fun and safe.
Graphic: newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org
For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I’m Jeff Olsen.
