Halloween is a whimsical holiday where children and adults can pretend to be someone else — a superhero, a ghost, or a character from their favourite show. Canadians will spend billions on costumes, decorations and of course candy!
There may be something scarier this Halloween than ghosts and goblins: health hazards. A group of Canadian researchers looked at the risk of pedestrian deaths on Halloween night. They found that the relative risk of pedestrian fatalities under the age of 18 was 3 times as likely and the risk to children 4-8 was increased 10-fold! Several factors lead to this increase:
- Trick-or-treating usually begins at dusk when visibility is low;
- Masks may reduce peripheral vision;
- Dark costumes make children less visible;
- Street crossing safety can be ignored; and
- Some drivers may be impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
To reduce risk…
- Please advise your kids to watch for cars (my Mom always said to look both ways before crossing);
- Make sure their costume allows for proper vision (perhaps choose make-up instead of a mask);
- Remind them to use sidewalks always where they exist; and
- Carrying a flashlight will also make children more visible to motorists.
- If you are an adult who is drinking or using other drugs, please choose a designated driver, take a cab or a ride service.
Another accident that occurs during the holiday is jack-o-lantern related. Each year, hundreds of trips to the emergency department are recorded due to puncture and cut wounds as we carve our big orange gourds. Instead of grabbing the biggest, sharpest knife from the block, consider purchasing a carving kit or choosing a serrated blade. Keep the pumpkin dry while cutting and be aware of surroundings (for example, if your wife is holding the pumpkin steady, know where her hands are).
I love involving the kids in projects, but let them do tasks like designing the pumpkin, cleaning out guts and washing and arranging the seeds for baking. When it comes to the carving, Mr. Dressup used to say, “You may want to get mom or dad to help you with this part.” Once those carved masterpieces are done, consider electric LED lights to bring them to life or, if using candles, make sure they are placed away from curtains and flammable objects and do not leave them unattended.
The final word of caution surrounds the treats. I am talking about the bags of candy that our kids receive. First, before going out, make sure to have a good nutritious meal. Tell the kids that no candy can be consumed until they are home, and you can inspect it. Be careful when giving children any treats that could be potential choking hazards such as chewy candies, peanuts, and hard candies. For those with food allergies, read over each product to ensure you know what is in it. Check toys or novelty items for small parts which can be choking hazards and do not give them to small children. Have a fun Halloween and take care of yourselves and each other.
By: Steve Bond, BScPhm, RPh, CDE, FASCP