10 Halloween Safety Tips

October 13, 2022
bleeds, burns, Child safety, choking, cuts, first aid for children, first aid training, halloween, halloween costume, paediatric first aid, safety, safety tips, Tips

Halloween is great fun but a whole range of potential hazards come into play on one spooky night – knives for carving pumpkins and candles lit for spooky ambience. Here are some Halloween safety tips and first aid tips for parents to ensure this Halloween isn’t frightening for all the wrong reasons!

10 HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS

TIP 1 – CAREFUL CARVING

Pumpkin carving has to be one of the most fun activities on Halloween and a chance for parents to show off their creative talents! Just apply common sense around knives and children, but here’s how to deal with a bleed injury just in case.

DEALING WITH CUTS AND GRAZES:-

Sit or lay the child down.
Examine the wound and apply pressure for 10 minute until bleeding stops (with sterile gauze, clean cloth or tissue).
If the cut it to your hand or arm, raise it above your head or if the injury is to a lower limb, lie the child down and raise the wound above the level of the heart to help stop bleeding.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop, or if there is a foreign object in the cut seek professional advice.
One good tip, is that if it’s longer than 5cm or you can’t pinch it together with your fingers and it stays closed, then it may need stitches.
Clean the wound by rinsing it under running water or using alcohol-free wipes, then pat dry with a clean towel.
Dress the wound with gauze first and apply sterile layers on top or plaster.
Look out for signs of shock! It can reduce the flow of blood.

WHAT TO DO IF A CHILD IS IN SHOCK:-

Lay them down with their head low and legs raised and supported, to increase the flow of blood to their head. Do not raise an injured leg.
Call 999 or 112 for medical help and say you think they are in shock, and explain what you think caused it (such as bleeding or a heart attack).
Loosen any tight clothing around the neck, chest and waist to make sure it doesn’t constrict their blood flow.
Fear and pain can make shock worse, by increasing the body’s demand for oxygen, so while you wait for help to arrive, it’s important to keep them comfortable, warm and calm. Do this by covering them with a coat or blanket and comforting and reassuring them
Keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response.
If they become unresponsive at any point, open their airway, check their breathing, and prepare to treat someone who has become unresponsive.

TIP 2 – FRIGHTENING FIRE

Remember Claudia Winkleman’s daughter whose witches costume caught fire? Shop safely for costumes and avoid buying flammable fabric. Check the CE Mark on the label, read the safety information and buy from a trusted place. Keep costumed children well away from naked flames or avoid flames altogether. The battery operated plastic candles make a great alternative but be very careful of small round batteries around little ones.

IF A CHILDS CLOTHES DID CATCH FIRE, REMEMBER STOP, DROP AND ROLL. ALL BURN WOUNDS NEED TO BE COOLED FOR 20 MINUTES AND EMERGENCY SERVICES CALLED.

TIP 3 – ROAD RISKS

Little ones get easily spooked by scary decorations (so reassure them beforehand – it’s not real!). And the desire to get the next sweetie can mean eager kids run out into the dark roads just at the time people are driving home from work. Use bright glow in the dark fabric or glowsticks and keep kids close and under control near roads. Head out early so little ones don’t get spooked by older children dressed up really scary and are less likely to be tired and off guard.

TIP 4 – MASKED MAYHEM

Masks, wigs and hats might seem a great idea for a quick Halloween transformation, but the reality is they can be a trip hazard, especially as your child tries to navigate unknown dark house paths. Use face paints instead so they can see where they are going.

TIP 5 – COSY COSTUMES

Costumes aren’t made to measure (unless you make your own!) so make sure they fit well without excess fabric from capes or dresses posing a tripping hazard and be careful of safety pins. In case of falls (some houses are not well lit and have lots of steps!) here’s how to treat.

TREATING FALLS:-

Try to keep your child resting quietly at home.
Give your child medicine, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve a mild headache.
Let your child have a sleep or go to bed as normal but you should wake them to check that they are rousable and alright.
Let your child carry on as normal, go to nursery or school, advising the placement that the incident occurred.
If your child has a minor head injury, apply ice or a cool wash to help reduce swelling. See bleed advice above if any cuts.
Call 999 if your child has lost consciousness, has a very large bump, vomits more than once, becomes sleepy or hard to wake, has a fit or convulsion, disturbed vision or finds it hard to walk.

TIP 6 – LABEL LITTLE ONES

Of course you’re going to stay close to little ones when out trick or treating, but it’s remarkably easy to lose sight, in the dark, of excited little people moving from house to house in a group. Pop your child’s address and phone number on their costume somewhere.

TIP 7 – CHECK CHOKING

For younger children particularly, check what they are being given in their buckets before letting them tuck in, and don’t let them run with food in their mouth.

WATCH OUR VIDEO ON HOW TO DEAL WITH A CHOKING CHILD.

TIP 8 – GROUP GHOULS

If your child is ready for some independence, ensure they are within a group of at least three other people. There’s safety in numbers.

TIP 9 -ROUTE READY

Ensure you’ve planned a route, with road crossing points, and reiterated road safety before they head out. If you’re unsure, follow at a distance so that they can have their independence but the safety net behind them.

TIP 10 -NIGHT NASTIES

Excited older children fuelled on sugar can quickly turn back in to frightened little toddlers if things don’t go to plan. Give them a torch and a phone to keep them feeling secure – but remind them never to look at their phone whilst walking along. Set a time they should be back.

TIP 10 – ALLERGY AWARE

If there’s one in your party with an allergy make sure you are particularly aware of the sweets they’ve collected. Have some extra allergy-friendly treats back home to compensate for anything you need to swap. If a child usually carries an Epi-Pen take it with you.