Halloween should be a fun holiday filled with costumes and treats that all kids can enjoy. Every year at Halloween hundreds of children ends up in the hospital with eye injuries.
Take some simple precautions that will keep your kids safe while they have a great Halloween!
Street Safety
It is safer to take your children to a Halloween party or to go trick-or-treating before dark if possible. If you are going at night, carry a flashlight.
This will illuminate your route and improve visibility for cars. If possible, get brightly colored or reflexive costumes and bags. This way, drivers can spot children after dark.
Young children should always be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating. It is safer for older children to go out in groups rather than alone.
Don’t allow kids to ride bikes or use scooters or rollerblades while wearing their costumes.
Costumes
Kids need to be able to see as they are walking around after dark. Avoid costumes with masks, floppy hats, and eye patches that block vision.
Make sure that hats fit well or they are safely secured so that they don’t slip over children’s eyes. Prevent tripping and falling by avoiding costumes that are too long and drag on the ground.
Spears, swords, and wands are potentially dangerous to other children’s eyes. They are also a hazard to your own children! These props should be avoided to keep everyone safe.
Cosmetics
Sometimes makeup can be a good alternative to masks because it allows for better vision. It’s best if an adult applies makeup that is hypoallergenic and avoids the eyes.
Have wipes handy in case the makeup begins to run down the child’s face. Remove makeup with cold cream rather than soap.
Cosmetic contact lenses have become very popular in the last few years. Older children and teens love the idea of lenses that give them zombie or vampire eyes.
What better way than to have eyes that go with their Halloween costumes? Contact lenses are considered medical devices in the U.S. and should not be sold without a prescription.
Cosmetic lenses can be purchased if an eye care provider has provided a prescription. This should include the brand name and measurements of the eye.
Cosmetic lenses are available through street vendors, flea markets, party stores, and online. Besides being dangerous, it’s also illegal!
They are often manufactured in other countries. As a result, there is no way of knowing if they have been manufactured with hygienic standards.
Poorly fitting contact lenses can cause scratches or ulcers to the cornea. This is very painful and can cause injury. Other complications include conjunctivitis, bacterial infections, and even permanent loss of vision.
Corneal scratches can also make people more susceptible to infection. Left untreated, this can lead to blindness.
Don’t let your teens share or borrow someone else’s cosmetic lenses. Halloween fun is not worth the risk of damaging their eyesight!
Check their Trick or Treat Bags
Lollipop sticks are very dangerous for children who are age three and under. Sometimes adults try to reduce candy intake by substituting novelty toys as treats.
Be sure to check toys for young children carefully for safety issues.
Want to make sure your eyes are in their best shape before Halloween? Schedule an appointment at VisionFirst Eye Center in Birmingham, AL today!
