On Sunday, the goblins will be out taking part in the annual trick-or-treat tradition around Lincoln. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center wants everyone to have a good time but there are some simple safety tips to follow for a problem free holiday.
Angie Pasho is a Public Education Coordinator for the Nebraska Regional Poison Center and tells KLIN News they get a lot of calls this time of year about various products on the market. The most common are glow sticks. They are made of soft rubber and some kids may be tempted to chew on them. The danger comes if they break.
Pasho says, “When they break open, that liquid can irritate and cause a burning sensation. Sometimes kiddos will get it in their eyes. A lot of these issues you can manage at home but be aware these are the things we are watching for. Make sure it gets washed off the skin right away. Start flushing the eye if it gets in the eyes and give us a call.”
It is still important that parents inspect their child’s trick or treat bucket. There are many marijuana edibles look like commercial candy. They can take the form of gummy bears and the packaging can look like regular candy. Pasho says look at those products carefully and if they look a bit different, don’t eat them. The same goes for candy with a damaged wrapper or is partially opened. Toss out homemade treats unless you know the person they came from. She says when in doubt, throw it out.
More children are hit by vehicles on Halloween than on any other day of the year. It is important to make sure that children can see where they are going so if they are wearing masks, they need to fit properly. Since most masks can move around and block vision and breathing, parents are opting for face paint or makeup.
Pasho says, “Read the labels and make sure it is non-toxic. They are the least irritating to the skin. Any individual could have a sensitivity to even non-toxic paint so test it on a small spot of skin first before applying it to the whole face. Remove it right away, especially before bedtime with soap and water or face wash and water to make sure it doesn’t continue to irritate or get into the eyes”.
If you have any safety questions or run into a problem this Halloween, give the Nebraska Regional Poison Center a call at 1-800-222-1222.