(Story courtesy Piedmont Augusta)
Halloween is a fun time for children and adults to get creative with costumes and celebrate with family and friends. As neighborhoods fill with trick-or-treaters, Piedmont encourages everyone to prioritize safety to help prevent accidents and injuries.
“Planning ahead can help make Halloween both fun and safe,” said Dr. Bozeman Sherwood, Regional Medical Director for Piedmont Prompt Care. “Choose costumes that fit properly and don’t drag on the ground, as loose or overly long costumes can create a tripping hazard. It’s also important to make sure children can see clearly if they’re wearing a mask or costume headpiece.”
Dr. Sherwood encourages families to review basic safety rules before heading out for the evening.
“When trick-or-treating, children should never cross streets unsupervised,” he said. “Consider adding reflective tape or glow accessories to costumes and treat bags to improve visibility. Drivers should slow down, remain alert and watch carefully for children near roadways, intersections and driveways.”
Parents and caregivers should inspect all treats before allowing children to eat them.
“Throw away any candy or treats that appear opened, damaged or tampered with,” Sherwood said. “Families managing food allergies should carefully read ingredient labels and avoid foods with unknown ingredients.”
Young children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult. Older children and teenagers who are trick-or-treating independently should travel in groups, stay in familiar neighborhoods and check in regularly with a parent or guardian.
Piedmont Prompt Care also recommends these Halloween safety tips:
Costume Safety
- Consider using non-toxic face paint instead of masks to improve visibility.
- Choose costumes labeled flame-resistant.
- Add reflective tape, glow sticks or other light-up accessories.
- Ensure costume accessories have soft or dull edges.
- Only wear decorative contact lenses approved by an eye care professional.
Driver Safety
- Drive slowly and remain alert in residential neighborhoods.
- Use extra caution near intersections, crosswalks and driveways.
- Watch for children who may unexpectedly enter the roadway.
Home Safety
- Remove tripping hazards from walkways, porches and yards.
- Keep pets indoors while trick-or-treaters are visiting.
- Use battery-operated candles instead of open flames.
- Turn on exterior lights and keep walkways well lit.
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