Eye Health Doesn’t Need to be Scary: Halloween Safety Month

Bring Lights with You

Lights are a big part of Halloween! They go into jack-o-lanterns, and they’re part of Halloween decorations. But what you might not realize is that lights are also a great way to keep everyone safe. Before you go outside with your group to go trick-or-treating, grab flashlights glow sticks, or put some reflective tape on everybody’s costumes. Not only will this make it easier to see the paths, but it will help other people see you better. Don’t overlook the importance of illuminating your porch and pathways. You’ll want to ensure families and trick-or-treaters can navigate safely to your front door when they stop by. Please turn off your lights if you’re not handing out candy this year.

Make Your Decorations Safe

One of the best parts of the fall is decorating your house for Halloween. Whether your decorations are bone-chillingly scary or playfully spooky, it’s important to consider eye injury risks. First, you should prioritize your walkways. Your decorations should not obstruct the walkway to your front door. The last thing you want is for someone to trip or stumble. You should also avoid decorations with sharp elements, including fake weapons or other potentially harmful props. Lastly, a crucial piece of advice: if you plan on distributing candy, make sure your porch is well-lit for the safety of everyone.

Keep Your Kids Safe

On Halloween night, one of the most significant responsibilities is keeping a watchful eye on your children. If you and your family are going trick-or-treating, stay close to your kids so they don’t run off into the street or elsewhere in the neighborhood. You should also be mindful of costumes! If your child’s costume has a mask, you’ll want to make sure they can see out of it so they don’t fall or run into anything.

Be Mindful When Using Makeup

If you’re using face paint or makeup for your Halloween costume this year, ensure it is safe for your face and eyes. The skin on your face and around your eyes is susceptible, so you’ll want to avoid makeup or paint that might irritate your skin. You should avoid the cheap face paint and makeup options and purchase something hypoallergenic. Cheap makeup and face paint might clog face pores and cause irritation and infections. If a costume requires wearing something on the face, we recommend paint or makeup instead of a mask.

Choose a Safe Costume

During the Halloween season, there’s nothing more exciting than finally deciding on your perfect costume. When choosing your costume, there are a few things you should consider. We recommend avoiding costumes that have protruding or sharply pointed components. These elements pose a risk to your eyes and the eyes of those around you, especially children. If your costume, or your child’s costume, includes a mask, ensure your vision isn’t obstructed. This is especially important when you consider you and the family will be crossing streets. If using colored contact lenses, choose FDA-approved ones fitted by an eye doctor to prevent eye irritation. Be cautious with wigs and hats, too; if they don’t fit properly, they might cover your or your children’s eyes!

Avoid Costume Props If You Can

Something else to consider when picking out a costume is if it comes with props. Those are items like fake swords, axes, brooms, and wands. Even though props add an exciting element to costumes, it’s safer to avoid them. If you decide to include props, or if your children want to bring their toy wands, ensure everybody is careful with them. Halloween props aren’t meant to be used as weapons, so if you and the family are walking around with costume props, make sure everybody keeps them to themselves.

Drink Water

With all the candy and treats you enjoy during Halloween, you’re not likely thinking about water. Walking around your neighborhood is thirsty work, and you and the family might quickly tire. A big part of that is dehydration. Not only will you get tired, but your kids might get dehydrated if they do a lot of walking without drinking water. Dehydration can lead to dry eyes, which can cause eye fatigue and discomfort. Bring water bottles when you’re out trick-or-treating.