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Trick-or-treat! In the spirit of October’s sweet and spooky holiday, Halloween, Dr. Gerling would like to remind all of our patients to be safe while celebrating with friends and family. Happy Halloween!
Here are a few Halloween safety tips:
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.
• Cross the street only at corners.
• Don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.
• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms too!)
• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Carry a flashlight to light your way.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)
• Visit homes that have the porch light on.
• This is also a great time to buy fresh batteries for your home Smoke Alarms.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s house.
• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.
• Be cautious of animals, strangers and goblins!
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don’t eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children
• Teach children their home phone number and to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.
• Review the principle of “Stop-Drop-Roll”, should costumes catch on fire.
• Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house. You don’t want a lot of injured ghost in your front yard!
