Daisy First Aid Spotlight On Halloween Safety 2017
Children love Halloween!
Traditionally, Halloween is on the 31st October but children (and adults!) enjoy the excitement, run up and preparation that comes with it throughout October – from the costume planning to picking and carving the perfect pumpkin.
Accidents can happen around this time of year, here are our top safety tips for having a safe and fun Halloween.
PUMPKINS
There are lots of ways to keep your child involved without handing over the knife if they are too young, this could be:
- getting them to draw the design on the pumpkin with a marker, then the adult doing the carving
- giving the child a spoon to scoop out the pulp and seeds
Pumpkin carving kits are available to buy, but some of the implements may still be sharp or have jagged edges, so, supervision may still be required.
If anyone does cut themselves, (it might be you!) have your first aid kit handy, clean and put pressure on to the cut with a sterile dressing or bandage for at least 10 minutes. Seek medical help if the bleeding does not stop.
When lighting up your pumpkin if using a lit candle, always keep it out of reach children and away from areas that people may touch if they walk past it.
Flameless candles, battery powered tea lights or glow sticks are a brilliant, safe alternative to real flames and give the same effect.
Using a flameless candle ensures no-one gets burnt.
COSTUMES
When choosing a costume always ensure you read the label.
Many costumes labels will say
“KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE AND NAKED FLAMES”
“SHOULD BE WORN UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION”
These costumes may have been tested for flammability but they may not be fully flame resistant so if a costume accidently came into contact with a naked flame or candle the costume may set alight. This could happen with a person inside the costume. Please take extra care when wearing these costumes and know what to do if a costume sets alight and how to treat a burn.
Alternatively, look for flame resistant costumes that will not burn or make your own costumes.
- If costumes come with masks, wigs or beards, or cover the eyes, ears or mouth, adult supervision is required to ensure the child can see properly to avoid accidents and breathe properly. Non-toxic face-paints can be a safer alternative to masks – but always do a patch test first to ensure they don’t irritate the skin.
- Always ensure costumes fit well – if they are too big this may cause trips and falls.
- If the costume has a prop with it (wands, swords, axes) always ensure they are short, soft and flexible so they do not cause injury if fell on to or if your child likes to wave it around and someone gets hit with it!
TRICK OR TREAT
Whether it is your child’s first trick or treat experience as a family or you have an older child venturing out on their own for the first time.
Keep to well-lit areas
Plan your route, stick to familiar places
Wear reflective clothing or add reflective strips to costumes
Take care when crossing roads
Keep mobile phones handy but ensure you are paying your full attention to the road and route to avoid accidents
If your child is given an edible treat, have a quick check it is suitable, age appropriate for your child and doesn’t pose a choking hazard.
Lastly and definitely not least, have fun and make some treasured memories!
Marie Gale runs Daisy First Aid Northampton and covers Northampton, Daventry, Towcester, Brackley, Buckingham and Banbury (and everywhere in between!).
Daisy First Aid provide fun and informal 2 hour family first aid classes for parents and carers. The classes include resuscitation, choking, meningitis, bleeding, burns and more. Host a class in the comfort of your own home or join us at a venue class.
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