Growing up we were all warned on Halloween to beware of things like razors in apples, or unpackaged candy that may be poisoned, but apparently those aren’t the only hidden Halloween dangers parents need to look out for. For worried parents, the Centers for Disease Control offers up a handy safety guide to help with the most obvious dangers, but there are other things to worry about that you may not even be aware of. And most don’t have anything to do with the candy your kids will be getting, and everything to do with your costumes.
- Glow Stick Poisoning – Sure if your kids are carrying around a glow stick it will be easier to spot them in the dark, but just make sure they’re carrying them and not chewing on them. While the content isn’t toxic, it can be irritating if it gets on the skin or is ingested. If a child has swallowed the liquid it’s suggested parents give them a sweet drink to get the taste of their mouth, and if the liquid has made contact with the skin rinse it with room temperature water for ten minutes. Only call poison control if it continues to irritate for long periods of time or if it makes contact with the eyes.
- Contact Lenses – It may look cool to wear fake colored contacts with your costume, but ones bought over the counter can be really harmful. They aren’t fitted to you, and are likely not sterilized, which could lead to infection. The only way to be safe and make sure you’ll be okay is to get them from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist.
- Face Painting – While it may be cute to paint your kids’ face green when they want to be The Hulk or Shrek, be careful when you buy your paint. Ones manufactured overseas can contain dangerous heavy metals like lead, which can lead to some major problems.
Source: ABCNews.com
