Halloween can be full of fun and festivities, but it’s also a time of year when many people, including adults, can end up injured and even in the hospital.
“Oftentimes when we think about Halloween safety, we think of kids and how we can protect them while they’re out trick-or-treating—but Halloween safety is not just for kids,” Mary Lewin, Disease Management Coordinator at St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, told Hello Georgetown. “Adults should also think about the precautions they can take while doing seemingly everyday activities, such as decorating their homes or accompanying their children while trick-or-treating at night.”
Some of the most common types of injuries seen in adults this time of year, she said, include fractures (typically from falls), burns and lacerations. Although these types of injuries are common to the time of year, Lewin said there are ways adults can prevent themselves from sustaining these injuries during Halloween festivities.
Preventing and Treating Falls and Fractures
“To prevent injuries from falls, including fractures, be mindful of staying on well-lit roads while going out at night, and bring a flashlight to see where you are walking,” Lewin said. “If you are a homeowner who is decorating your home for the holiday, remove any barriers or obstacles from your yard that could cause others to trip and fall.”
Examples of this, she added, include properly securing and removing extension cords which could cause someone to trip and fall in the dark.
“Also, be mindful of clothing or costumes that may drag on the ground and cause you to trip, as well as costumes with masks that may obstruct your vision,” Lewin said.
If you do sustain a fracture or other injury from falling, she added, first be sure to assess and immobilize the injured area, and do not try to realign a bone yourself.
“Apply ice packs or a cold compress to limit swelling and help relieve pain—and seek emergency care,” Lewin said.
Preventing and Treating Burns
“To prevent burn injuries, practice caution around candles and open flames,” Lewin said. “Consider using flameless light sources in jack-o-lanterns and other decorations, and do not approach any open flames at someone else’s home.”
Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also recommends wearing costumes that say “flame resistant” on the label, or if your costume is homemade, to use flame-resistant fabrics like polyester or nylon.
If you do sustain a burn injury, be sure to remove any restricting jewelry or clothing from the area, apply a cool, moist bandage and elevate the site of injury, Lewin added.
“If any blisters do occur, do not pop them,” Lewin said. “If it’s a major burn, come to the emergency room and we can assess and treat the injury.”
Preventing and Treatiang Cuts or Lacerations
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 44% of all Halloween injuries in 2018 resulted from pumpkin carving activities, and 27% of all Halloween injuries that same year involved lacerations, ingestions, and costume, pumpkin or decoration-related injuries.
“To avoid cuts or lacerations, consider painting pumpkins instead of carving them or use safe carving kits for carving pumpkins,” Lewin said.
If you do sustain a cut or laceration, she added, first find the source of the bleeding and identify signs of “life-threatening” bleeding, such as bleeding that spurts from a wound, soaks clothing or bandages, pools on the ground or is sustained during accidental amputation.
“If the bleeding is life threatening or if you are having a hard time stopping the bleeding, call 911,” Lewin said. “If it is a minor injury, apply a clean bandage with firm, even pressure and elevate the area.”
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