Have A Healthy Safe Halloween

As October draws to a close, jack-o’-lanterns glow along neighborhood streets rustling with fallen leaves, and children wait eagerly to don their Halloween costumes. Trick-or-treaters may not realize it as they scamper from house to house, but the holiday festivities are a wonderful opportunity to get the exercise their growing bodies need. We have some safety tips to protect your little ghosts and goblins as they enjoy spooky Halloween fun.

• When you are preparing your own home for trick-or-treaters, keep candlelit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps and walkways. Live flames could ignite a costume. Make sure your walkway and front door are well lit, and remove any objects that could be tripping hazards for children in awkward costumes.

• Choose costumes that are flame-resistant. Encourage your children to try out their costumes before the big night to avoid trips, falls, or other injuries. They should be able to walk easily, without any part of their costume becoming uncomfortable. If a mask is part of the ensemble, make sure it is not obstructing vision.

• No swashbuckling pirate costume is complete without a sword; however, if your child wants costume accessories like swords, hooks, or knives, make sure they only look real. Choose props that are short, soft, and flexible.

• Review traffic safety rules before Halloween. Remind children to look both ways before crossing the street, and to cross at established crosswalks. Ask them to walk, not run, from house to house.

• Visiting homes decorated with pumpkins, ghosts, and skeletons is part of the Halloween fun, but safety is important too. Caution children not to walk near lit candles or luminaries, and not to enter homes unless they are with a trusted adult. Remind them never to accept a ride from a stranger.

• Groups of trick-or-treaters will enjoy the festivities more safely. Children who are not trick-or-treating with a group should be accompanied by an adult.

• If your children will be out after dark, use reflective tape on their costumes and treat bags to make it easier for drivers to see them. You may also want to accompany your group with a flashlight.

• Before children start sampling their Halloween goodies, inspect for choking hazards and tampering. Discard any homemade treats unless you know they come from a trusted neighbor. As tempting as it is for children to indulge in a huge pile of candy at the end of the night, it’s a good idea to limit the number of sweets eaten at one time.

The Halloween holiday has the fourth-highest number of ER visits, and children between the ages of 10 and 14 suffer the most injuries. With these tips as a guide, you can help make sure that Halloween will be safe as well as festive for your trick-or-treaters.

Summit Orthopedics supports healthy communities

Community health flourishes when specialized orthopedic care is conveniently available close to home. Summit Orthopedics is proud of our fellowship-trained subspecialty teams offering the full spectrum of orthopedic expertise in bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint conditions—in addition to our wellness, prevention, and rehabilitation services. We have the expertise to proactively improve fitness, evaluate discomfort, and deliver personalized treatment to quickly and safely return you to the lifestyle you love.

Start your journey to a healthier, more active self. Visit our Facebook page to learn about our wellness services and schedule a free wellness consultation online. Find your orthopedic expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.

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