Trick-or-Treat Safety
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Trick-or-Treat Safety

As you ready your little ghouls and goblins for trick-or-treating, it’s important to review basic safety rules to help ensure their holiday is scary in the best possible kind of ways.

Here’s a terrifying Halloween fact: Two times as many child pedestrians die on Halloween compared to other days. Thanks to a too-often deadly combination of being out after dark and wearing vision-limiting costumes, what should be a fun evening of mischief and merriment, Halloween can quickly become an actual nightmare.

However, by taking a few simple precautions and following practices, trick-or-treaters and their escorts can safely navigate their way home with plenty of candy in tow.

Here’s where to start:

COSTUMES

Make sure costumes, wigs and accessories are all fire-resistant.

Make sure costumes and footwear don’t create built-in tripping hazards.

Attach reflective tape to the sides, front and back of costumes and bags or use glow sticks to keep trick-or-treaters visible after dark.

If possible, use make-up instead of masks, which can limit visibility. Be sure to test make up on a small area of skin before applying to a child’s face and remove all makeup before bed to prevent skin and/or eye irritation.

TRICK-OR-TREATING

Always accompany young children around the neighborhood. Older trick-or-treaters should only venture out in the company of at least one other.

Caution children against entering homes or cars for treats.

Only cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

Keep to sidewalks and designated pathways. If there aren’t sidewalks, walk facing traffic and as far off the road as possible.

Encourage children to walk and not run between houses.

Plan your route to keep road crossings to a minimum.

Only go to homes where a porch light is on.

Keep your eyes on the road and not on phones or other electronic devices.

TREAT EATING 

Do not allow children to eat treats before they get home where you can inspect candy.

Do not allow children to eat anything that is not commercially wrapped or any treats with torn or damaged wrappers, including pinholes. Any treats that appear unusual or discolored or suspicious in any way should be thrown out.

If you have young children, remove any small candies, including hard candy, peanuts, or gum, as they may present a choking hazard.

If your child has a food allergy, be sure to read all labels carefully to make sure allergens aren’t present.

DRIVING SAFETY

Drive with your headlights on, even before dusk.

Be alert for kids, especially at intersections, medians and on curbs

If you’re transporting trick-or-treaters, make sure they’re buckled up appropriately in a car seat or with a seat belt each time they get in the car.

If a costume makes it difficult to buckle a car seat or belt correctly, remove the costume or problematic portion of the costume each time they get in the car.

Try to park in spot where you do not need to back up.

Enter and exit driveways, parking spots and side streets with extreme caution.

By being cautious and mindful of safety, you can make ensure Halloween is a treat for all.

Jaclyn Lozier, MD, FAAP, is the Chair of Pediatrics, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and the Medical Director, SVMC Pediatrics.

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What to Expect During Your Outpatient Visit

Now that cases of COVID-19 in the state have plateaued and Governor Phil Scott has given the go-ahead to resume elective procedures, the physicians and nurses at Southwestern Vermont Health Care are eager to provide the elective procedures that were postponed at the onset of the pandemic.

At the same time, we recognize that we need to implement enhanced precautions to ensure safety. See news about the universal safety precautions we are taking here.

Two areas in particular, outpatient surgery and diagnostics (which include the lab and imaging departments), have put additional precautions in place to ensure patient and staff safety.

Outpatient Surgery

3 – 4 Days Before Procedure. Patients will be given directions to get a drive-up swab test for COVID-19. The test should be conducted 3 – 4 days before your surgery. There is no out-of-pocket charge. Patients are given a cloth mask and are asked to wear it and self-isolate until surgery. Results for most tests are expected to be negative. Your surgeon will be in touch with you if there is a positive result. Procedures for those who have tested positive will be rescheduled.

Day of Procedure. Patients should come to the procedure alone, unless they need to be accompanied for safety reasons. Both patients and companions should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital. They are screened for symptoms at the main entrance. Patients will be given a medical-grade procedure mask to wear once they are checked into the unit.

Post Procedure. After the procedure, we will continue to be available to you. You will be provided a link that can be accessed via your cell phone or Internet. The link includes a brief questionnaire to help us assess your progress and guide you to a smooth recovery.

Diagnostic Imaging and Lab Work

Like those receiving an outpatient procedure, every imaging patient will be screened over the phone before arriving at the hospital. Lab patients with appointments will also be pre-screened on the phone. All patients should come for lab and imaging alone, unless a support person is needed for safety reasons. Patients should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital and for the entire duration of their stay. Patients are screened again at the main entrance.

Patients will notice some changes in the waiting rooms. Chairs have been spaced 6 feet apart to comply with social distancing. Reading material has been removed to discourage touching things that have been touched by others. In addition, the exam rooms are being deep cleaned after every patient, and the waiting rooms and high-traffic areas are disinfected hourly.

The clinical professionals at SVHC are confident that these measures, along with continued social distancing, will allow patients to receive the care they need in a safe and timely way.

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