By David Vinson, M.D.
Fall has arrived in West Texas and has brought with it crisp mornings, falling leaves, pumpkin spice, thankfulness – and, for many, Halloween! The Fall festivities have already kicked off with events throughout the community.
With an anticipated larger number of trick-or-treaters expected this year, it’s important to make a plan to celebrate safely. Here are a few simple ways parents and kids can make sure they stay safe while having a good time!
While younger children should always be accompanied by an adult, older children should be reminded of their personal safety including traveling in groups, traveling in familiar, well-lit areas, never entering a stranger’s house and being mindful of road safety after dark. According to the National Safety Council, children are twice as likely to hit and injured by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year.
In addition to these points, here are some other useful tips.
1. BE SEEN – Use a flashlight, glow-sticks, and reflective tape to be visible to drivers after dark.
2. BE SENSIBLE – Only visit homes that have lights on and that are being visited by other trick or treaters.
3. BE SAFE – Cross the street safely, cross at the corner or crossing and never between parked cars.
4. DRIVERS should be extra vigilant and watch out for kids running into the street.
5. NEVER enter the house of someone you don’t know or talk to a stranger driving by in a car.
6. WAIT ON THE CANDY – Children should be told to not eat the candy until it has been checked by a parent who discards open candy and checks for choking hazards.
7. WASH HANDS before eating any candy.
If you and your family will be celebrating Halloween, remember to have fun and be safe!
David Vinson, M.D. is the Medical Director at Odessa Regional Medical Center and a board-certified emergency medicine physician.
