HSE mychild.ie shares top safety tips this Halloween

We know that guys and ghouls just want to have fun so to help parents prepare for Halloween celebrations, the HSE’s mychild.ie shares some tips and advice to keep everyone safe, happy and healthy over the mid-term break and beyond.

Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead, HSE Child Health Public Health and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said: “Halloween casts a spell of excitement for families every year with costumes, pumpkins, trick or treating and lots more. Our message is to everyone is to keep health and safety in mind this mid-term to help prevent injury or harm, and limit stress, during this magical time.  By carving out some time to follow the HSE mychild.ie safety advice, children and parents can have a fun, stress-free mid-term with their family and friends.  Witch-ing everyone a safe, healthy and happy Halloween!”

Dr Thomas Roux, Specialist Registrar, HSE Child Health Public Health, said: “If you are expecting trick-or-treaters to call to your door, make it spooky but safe. Do not leave lit candles unattended around your home or garden. Use battery-operated candles instead. Children are often curious about flames and costumes can catch fire. For treats, it’s best to give nut-free ones if possible and avoid sweets that could be a choking risk for a young child.”

No tricks, just safe treats

Check for choking hazards in your child’s trick or treat bag and make sure treats are suitable for their age and developmental stage. Children under age 5 are at risk of choking from small hard round or oval-shaped sweets (these include fruit gums, jellybeans and lollipops), as well as marshmallows, popcorn, chewing gum, whole nuts and small hard chocolates.

Keep teeth looking sharp

Regular tooth-brushing is needed all year round but is especially important after trick-or-treating.

Beware of button batteries

Keep them out of reach of children as they are harmful if swallowed and a choking risk. These can be found in some Halloween toys, decorations and other household items.

Spook-proof your costume

If buying Halloween costumes, check for the CE mark and a ‘flame resistant’ label to make sure it is safe. With more candles and other fire hazards at Halloween, flame-resistant costumes offer extra protection. Avoid oversized shoes or long material that could cause trips or falls. Check costumes and accessories for small parts that pose a choking hazard for younger children.

Ghostly groups

If there is a group of children trick-or-treating, an adult should be at the front and at the back of the group.

Fangs for being visible

With evenings dark at this time of year, it’s important to ensure that both adults and children can be seen when out and about, particularly if you are out Halloween trick or treating. You can use reflective strips, high visibility clothing and a torch.

Don't be a ghoul on the road

If you are driving at Halloween, remember to slow down and watch out for children in dark costumes.

Growing skeletons

Children need a daily vitamin D supplement in the darker winter months, from Halloween to St Patrick’s Day, to keep teeth, bones, muscles and immune systems healthy.

Emergencies

Despite best efforts, accidents can happen. If your child’s clothes catch fire: get them to stop, drop and roll. This involves them stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with their hands and rolling until the fire is out. If they cannot stop, drop and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel. If their skin gets burnt and it is safe to do so, hold the burnt skin under cool running tap water for 20 minutes and seek medical help right away.

In any emergency phone 999 or 112.

For more child health and safety resources and guidance, visit mychild.ie.