For most people, Halloween is a holiday filled with laughter and fun. Children and families have an opportunity to spend time together, dress in costumes and enjoy spooky carved pumpkins and tasty treats. If you’re a parent, you might also be wondering how to avoid dangerous situations so that you and your children can have the best possible experience.
Your trusted personal injury attorney at Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers wants you to follow these safety tips, so that you and your family can have a safe and fun Halloween!
Inspect Your Child’s Candy
When parents think about potential Halloween dangers, candy often tops their list. Fortunately, there are some quick and simple steps you can take to make sure the candy your kids put into their mouths is safe as well as tasty.
- Inspect your child’s candy before allowing them to eat. This means no snacking while trick-or-treating. Have kids eat a big meal before going out so they’re less likely to want to snack during the main event. When inspecting candy, discard anything unwrapped, partially wrapped or with holes in the wrapping. Try to hand out and accept candies in sealed packaging rather than twist-tie packaging to reduce the risk of tampering. Remember: when in doubt, throw it out!
- Do not eat fruit or homemade items. Only consume treats packaged by the candy manufacturers.
- If you find a suspicious item, call the police to report it. If a child has eaten something suspicious, call your local Poison Control Center.
- Consider throwing a Halloween party in your home or a friend’s home to help ensure that you know the source of the food and candy being eaten.
- Keep dietary restrictions for both children and pets in mind when giving out candy. Chocolate, raisins and macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, even in small quantities and should be kept away from them.
Halloween Makeup
Novelty makeup can add fun flair to a halloween costume, and is generally safe when used as directed. Follow these tips to avoid skin reactions and allergies.
- Carefully follow all instructions on the makeup packaging. If a product is not intended for use on your skin, avoid putting it on your face.
- Even if the product shows a picture of someone wearing the makeup near or around their eyes, avoid doing so on your own face or a child’s face. Eyes and the skin around eyes can be easily irritated, so it’s best to leave that part of the face makeup free.
- Do not wear makeup or hair products too long. Thoroughly wash products from your skin and hair before going to bed. Makeup and hair spray can cause skin irritation when left on the body too long, and can smear into your eyes if worn while sleeping.
Bubble Lights and Glow Sticks
Bubble lights and glow sticks contain potentially harmful chemicals that can be dangerous when spilled on the skin or swallowed.
- Bubble lights contain a chemical called methylene chloride, a solvent that is harmful when ingested. If a child has broken open a bubble light and swallowed some of the liquid, call a Poison Control Center right away.
- Glow sticks contain a liquid that can cause a temporary burning sensation when spilled on skin. This liquid also has a very bad taste, but is typically not harmful if a small amount is swallowed. If a child has ingested some of the fluid, make sure to call a Poison Control Center, to be safe.
In Case of an Accident, Call a Personal Injury Attorney
Whether you’re out trick or treating or throwing a party at home, following these tips will help you and your family have fun while staying safe. However, if you or a loved one does get sick as a result of tampered products or any other injury, consider contacting a personal injury attorney to help recoup any costs you may have incurred. Have a great holiday and be safe out there this year! Happy Halloween from your friends at Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers.
