HallOOOOOOOween
It’s supposed to be fun. But make sure it’s safe, too. As the CDC warns consumers, “Don’t let an eye infection [or injury] be the scariest part of your Halloween.”
Tip: If creepy contacts are the order of the day—Oct. 31, that is—remind patients that buying them without a prescription is illegal.
COVID may have changed the way kids are celebrating Halloween, but It hasn’t changed the fact that most children will still want to dress up and go outside…even if it’s only in their own backyard. The result is potential danger to the eyes from everything from make-up to the tip of a witch’s hat.
With two weeks to go, now is a perfect time to post on social media or in-office about the dangers of…and safety suggestions for…Halloween.
In the office as well, be sure to warn patients of potential problems. Close to 4,000 Halloween-related injuries are reported every year, so don’t let kids in your practice add to that statistic.
10 Tips
To help, here are some tips that you can easily copy and post or print.
1. Set clear rules. This is not a year for close contact, so rethink the holiday. Ringing doorbells and going up to homes, especially without social distancing, is a big no-no for 2020.
2. If you are letting your kids celebrate, albeit under strict guidelines, give them a flashlight, not a glowstick that contains eye-damaging toxins. And, speaking of lights, apply reflective tape or stickers to their outfits.
3. If you have old Halloween makeup, toss it and buy new. Using last year’s glitter, for example, is just inviting infection.
4. Read the labels. Make sure face paint and makeup, if imported, don’t contain metals and other dangerous substances. To be safe, be certain makeup, especially any near the eyes, is hypoallergenic.
5. In the case of contacts, sharing definitely isn’t caring. And, if creepy contacts are the order of the day—Oct. 31, that is—buying them without a prescription is illegal.
6. Before purchasing costumes, check the labels, including those on wigs and accessories, to be sure they are fire retardant. And be sure your kids will still be able to fit masks over their nose and mouth.
7. Try everything on ahead of time to be certain that nothing like a hood or mask is impeding your child’s ability to see clearly. And, check that hems, tails, etc. aren’t too long either.
8. Discourage new drivers…like your just-licensed teen…from driving on Halloween night. There are just too many potential hazards on the road and distractions in every direction.
9. Consider a family celebration at home instead of traditional trick or treating.
10. When the day is done, be certain you remove all makeup, glitter, etc., before the kids go to bed.
Do you talk to patients and kids about Halloween as the holiday approaches? Tell us how you communicate the potential dangers of the season and share in the conversation on Facebook here.
Erinn Morgan
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