Boo, Not Boo Hoo

2023 • Tips

Halloween is more popular than ever. According to Prosper Insights & Analytics, this year’s celebration will break records. In fact, 73% of Americans surveyed by the group for the National Retail Federation (NRF) report they’re participating in Halloween-related activities. That’s up from 69% last year.

Tip: If makeup is being applied to the face, make sure anything near the eyes is hypoallergenic.

Unfortunately, only a third of parents talk to their kids about Halloween safety. And, according to SafeKids.org, more than 10% of adults let kids age 5 and under trick or treat alone.

10 Safety Tips

Those are just a couple of reasons why it’s important to remind the parents in your practice about protecting their kids, including their vision, on Oct. 31. So, what can you do? To help, here are some tips, courtesy to SafeKids.org, that you can post on social media or share in the office this week.

1. Communicate the dangers of decorative contacts with parents.
2. Make sure their teens don’t ever share contact lenses.
3. Be certain kids’ costumes include a flashlight or glowstick to help them see where they’re going and what might be in the way.
4. To help others see them, iron or sew on a strip of reflective tape or affix reflective stickers to costumes.
5. Be sure face masks, hoods, scarves, etc., don’t impair vision.
6. If makeup is being applied to the face, make sure anything near the eyes is hypoallergenic.
7. Make sure your kids understand that their swords and other objects can injure.
8. Check costume labeling to ensure all clothing is fire retardant.
9. Don’t let young ones out alone.
10. Say thanks but no thanks to treats that are not packaged and sealed.

Do you talk to parents in your practice about eye safety this time of year? If so, what’s the message that has the greatest impact? Tell us about it and share in the conversation on Facebook here.

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