(Story by Lisa Kaylor, Lead Communications & Media Coordinator, Wellstar Health System)
Halloween is meant to be a night of costumes, candy and fun, but emergency physicians see a predictable rise in preventable injuries every year. From pumpkin-carving accidents to falls and pedestrian injuries, a few simple precautions can help families celebrate safely and avoid an unexpected trip to the emergency department.
According to Wellstar family medicine physician Dr. Brandon Bentley, some of the most serious Halloween injuries occur when trick-or-treaters encounter traffic.
“Big ones that we want to look out for are pedestrians being hit by cars as they’re walking through neighborhoods, which can lead to lacerations and broken bones,” Bentley said.
One of the most surprising Halloween hazards begins before children even put on their costumes. Bentley said pumpkin carving is responsible for a significant number of holiday-related injuries, particularly cuts to the hand.
“Studies show about 50 to 55 percent of the cases that come to the hospital seeking medical care are lacerations of the hands come from pumpkin carving,” he said.
Rather than using kitchen knives, Bentley recommends purchasing pumpkin-carving kits designed specifically for the task.
“Pumpkin carving kits are specially made tools, and they’re usually family friendly,” he said. “If we’re going to be doing this with kids involved, make sure that there’s parental supervision. We want to avoid really, really sharp knives.”
As neighborhoods fill with costumed children after dark, visibility becomes critically important. Bentley encourages families to trick-or-treat in groups, use flashlights and choose costumes that help children stand out to drivers.
“We want to look for reflective costumes,” he said. “If we have a really dark costume, maybe put a piece of reflective tape on it and ensuring that there’s a flashlight either with the child or the parents so that we can see and be seen.”
Children under 12 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian, while older children should travel with friends and stay alert around roadways and driveways. Bentley also recommends slowing down and resisting the temptation to run from house to house.
“On a really fun night where emotions are high and we’re having fun, take a second, look both ways and use your flashlight,” he said.
Costumes themselves can create safety concerns, especially those that are bulky, restrictive or difficult to navigate.
“We have to think our way through things,” Bentley said. “That means getting into an intricate costume and ensuring that someone is nearby to help us if we lose our balance.”
Parents should also pay close attention to costume makeup and face paint. Products that haven’t been used before can trigger allergic reactions, skin irritation or even respiratory symptoms in some children.
“If we’re not familiar with what’s being put on our face, we might be putting something on that causes some sort of reaction,” Bentley said. “You might end up inhaling some of that makeup and that can cause some asthma-related symptoms as well.”
After the trick-or-treating ends, Bentley advises parents to inspect their children’s candy, especially if food allergies are a concern.
“If you know that your child has an allergy to some sort of candy, or even peanuts, look inside and review the candy,” he said. “Make sure you pull those from the candy pile before you go ahead and let your kid enjoy that bag of treats.”
Despite the risks, Bentley emphasized that Halloween remains a treasured tradition for families and one that should be enjoyed.
“Have fun,” he said. “These are great environments for kids to be in. We want people to enjoy it, just really be safe.”
With a little planning and awareness, families can make sure this Halloween is memorable for all the right reasons, keeping the focus on costumes, candy and community rather than emergency room visit.
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