How to have a Hell of a good — and safe — time at Halloween
Pic: iStock
Children all over Ireland are trying on their costumes, gearing up for trick-or-treating tonight, anticipating the goodies they’ll bring back. The grisly decorations are up, the pumpkin carved, and spooky stories are flying around.
It’s exciting — and scary in a fun way, and that’s how we want it. But there is plenty of potential for Halloween pitfalls, from fireworks and bonfires to button batteries and allergies.
Dr Carol Blackburn, consultant in paediatric emergency medicine, is lead consultant for the Emergency Department at CHI (Children’s Hospital Ireland), Crumlin. In her post since 2012, she says: “We used to document 10-12 injuries a year from fireworks. In recent years, it’s less than that – it has tapered a bit.” This progress, she says, is down to Gardaí working with communities.
Yet, says Blackburn, children and teens still attend emergency departments with burns and injuries from Halloween-related activity. “It’s usually children in middle and older primary school — rather than the younger cohort – and then teens. Everybody’s more naturally cautious around the really younger children, though you do see hand injuries related to pumpkin carving.
“Most injuries happen in the run-up to Halloween, on Halloween itself and in the days after when children are on mid-term.”
So how can we ensure Halloween stays ‘fun’ scary — and doesn’t edge into anything beyond that?
Dublin Fire Brigade safety advisers warn that bonfires can contain nasty materials – car tyres, gas cylinders, aerosol cans, oils, plastics, household rubbish. Smoke from these types of fires is extremely toxic, they say, and can exacerbate existing breathing problems.
You never know when someone might throw something highly toxic and flammable into the bonfire, warns the HSE. “Be aware people can throw things onto bonfires – accelerants, aerosol cans, fireworks — that can explode and go in any direction,” says Dr Ciara Martin, HSE national clinical adviser for children and young people and a paediatric emergency consultant with CHI.
Blackburn, who has seen “bad eye injuries from missiles coming out of bonfires”, recommends avoiding DIY bonfires and only attending community-organised ones, where “there’s first aid and fire brigade available”.
Avoid getting too close to a bonfire — if you feel the heat, then you are too close. Clothes or costumes are at risk of catching fire. And hairspray is extremely flammable.
Adult supervision is crucial. “Children need to be supervised around fireworks and open flames. It’s lovely to gather around a bonfire, but it’s really important there’s proper adult supervision up to and into the teen years,” says Blackburn.
Meanwhile, even in building bonfires, accidents happen. “I’ve seen young people have injuries and falls from climbing over fences to retrieve wooden pallets for bonfires,” says Martin.
These are tightly controlled in Ireland, with legislation preventing possession of unlicensed fireworks. The HSE warns that most illegal fireworks and bangers on sale in markets and from street traders are manufactured without safety standards and can cause serious injuries to children.
Children and young people don’t know how to use fireworks, Martin says. “Fireworks going off in their hand can cause catastrophic, life-changing injuries.”
Blackburn has seen “severe injuries to fingers and thumbs, with partial loss of digits” when fireworks have gone off unexpectedly in a child’s hands. “In some cases, children have thrown fireworks at each other — they’ve got caught in clothing, in hoodies, and caused burns. I’ve seen significant burns to face and head.”
On fireworks, Gráinne Griffin, director of communications at the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), has the following unequivocal advice. “We strongly advise parents to encourage children to avoid illegal fireworks.”
A Halloween costume should have the CE mark, showing it meets appropriate safety standards, says Griffin, who urges anyone coming across a child’s costume without a CE mark to contact CCPC’s consumer helpline — 01 402 5555.
“A child’s costume should come with an appropriate age and any potentially hazardous aspects should be highlighted, for example that it contains small parts,” says Griffin.
Look for a ‘flame resistant’ label, advises the HSE. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) says ‘flame resistant’ does not mean the item won't catch fire – but that it “will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source”.
The HSE also suggests children wear ‘normal’ clothes under their costume for “some protection” should the costume catch fire – and for added warmth if out trick-or-treating. And ensure costumes fit properly – don’t dress children in oversized shoes or long material that could cause trips/falls. Martin advises bringing along runners so children can change if they want more comfort.
A homemade child’s costume is sustainable – but be aware of key safety tips. Avoid using any flammable materials – glue, plastic, cotton wool – say the CCPC. And watch out for choking hazards. “Anything smaller than a €2 coin is a choking risk,” warns Griffin.
With capes and cloaks very common in children’s costumes, Griffin advises great care with how these fasten around the neck. “If a young child gets caught, [what’s fastening] should release and come away. Velcro is a much safer way to fasten a cloak or cape than a knot or drawstring.”
The NSAI says these can cause skin reactions. “Most don’t pose a health risk when directions on the label are followed and when the product is used properly. However, children have more sensitive skin and are more susceptible to developing a reaction, so be aware of any adverse reaction. Pay attention to comments from your children on how the face paint feels.”
This primarily means being safe and seen in the dark, says Martin. “Children should not go unsupervised trick-or-treating.” She advises:
- Avoid poorly-lit areas, use footpaths where available.
- Having an adult at front and back of a group of children is a good way to keep an eye on everyone.
- Have child wear lighter-coloured clothing or reflective strip on front and back, or a high visibility vest and carry a torch.
- If driving at Halloween, remember to slow down and be alert for children in dark costumes.
Check your child’s treats and remove any that could cause choking, aren’t in sealed packaging or look suspicious, recommends the HSE. And if giving treats to visiting trick-or-treaters, remember also to avoid any sweets that could pose a choking risk for a small child – and don’t give nuts.
“We don’t really see anaphylactic shock out of trick-or-treating,” says Blackburn, adding that there is more awareness now of nut allergies. “People no longer put the traditional monkey nuts in treat bags.”
Button batteries are becoming increasingly common in anything from musical toys, books, and novelty decorations to Halloween costumes.
“Ensure they’re not loose – they’re hazardous if children swallow them,” warns Martin, explaining that – aside from the choking risk – they can harm the intestines. “They can cause corrosion or burning and often need to be removed surgically. We see ingestion of button batteries all year round among pre-schoolers and children in early primary school.”
Advising that these batteries can also be found in electric candles — a safer alternative to lit candles at Halloween — Griffin urges parents to ensure the button battery is firmly secured so a child cannot access it.
If you think your child may have swallowed one, bring him/her to your local emergency department.
Young teens ingesting alcohol at impromptu Halloween parties is an issue, says Blackburn. “We do see the occasional child coming in quite intoxicated and in a bad way.”
For tips on how to talk to young people about alcohol/drugs visit https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/alcohol/information-parents/.
“A lot of animals are scared and agitated at Halloween,” says Martin, who advises staying away from dogs — even ones known to you — if there are fireworks/bonfires.
“And remember: pets and treats don’t mix well,” she adds.
The HSE advises: If a child’s clothes catch fire: get them to stop, drop and roll. This means stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with their hands and rolling until the fire is out. If they cannot stop/drop/roll, smother flames with blanket/towel.
“If their skin gets burnt and it’s safe to do so, hold the burnt skin under cool running tap water for 20 minutes and seek medical help right away. In an emergency phone 999 or 112.”
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