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Halloween Safety Tips: How to Celebrate Safely

Photo of three young children in halloween costumes; a clown and two witches. Illustrating Halloween safety tips from Poison Control.

Dry Ice, Make-Up, and Glow Sticks All Pose Potential Poisoning Risks – Halloween Safety Tips 2023

Halloween safety tips from the people who answer your calls–the Poison Control centers! We’ve all heard the importance of inspecting trick-or-treat candy before it’s consumed, but did you know Halloween poses other poisoning risks? Each Halloween, Poison Centers receive a variety of calls, including allergic reactions to costume makeup or accidental ingestion of dry ice. Keep reading to learn tips on how to celebrate Halloween safely!

Halloween Makeup Safety

Using Halloween paint and makeup on your child can be a fun and creative way to enhance their costume. The ingredients in the product can pose harm when accidentally swallowed or if it gets into the eyes. Additionally, some people may have an allergic reaction to these products when applied to the skin. 

To minimize hazards when using Halloween paint and makeup on your child:

  • Look for non-toxic and hypoallergenic Halloween makeup and paints.
  • Before applying makeup to your child’s face, perform a patch test on a small area of their skin to check for allergic reactions.
  • Always supervise young children around Halloween paints and makeup to ensure they don’t ingest it or get it in their eyes.
  • Remove makeup and paint with soap and water promptly after Halloween festivities. 

Glowsticks

Glow necklaces, bracelets, and sticks are part of many Halloween costumes and can help children be seen in the dark, but they can also pose a risk for poisoning. If a child bites into or punctures a glow stick and ingests the liquid, it can lead to stomach discomfort, mouth irritation, and nausea. Additionally, if the liquid from inside a glow stick comes into contact with a child’s eyes or skin, it can cause irritation, redness, and discomfort.

Stay safe when using glowsticks by:

  • Encouraging children to play with glow sticks only under adult supervision.
  • Teaching children not to bite, chew, or puncture glow sticks, and keep out of reach of very young children who may be prone to putting objects in their mouths.
  • Disposing of damaged or punctured glow sticks properly to prevent accidental ingestion of the chemicals.

Light-Up Costumes and Flashing Jewelry

Halloween costumes, props, toys, jewelry, and flashlights can contain batteries which present a risk for poisoning and choking. Batteries of any size can cause internal damage when swallowed and require immediate medical attention.

Battery safety tips include:

  • Choose products with enclosed battery compartments.
  • Secure battery compartment with screws or tape.
  • Supervise children when using products that contain small batteries.

Dry Ice

Dry ice is frozen solid carbon dioxide (CO2). People use dry ice during Halloween celebrations to create a spooky looking fog because dry ice releases CO2 gas when left at room temperature or exposed to water. If used in a poorly ventilated space, the CO2 gas can replace the available air and cause difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Direct contact with dry ice on the skin or if accidently swallowed can cause serious burns that are similar to frostbite. 

To minimize dry ice’s poisoning risks, you should:

  • Use insulated gloves or tongs to avoid direct skin contact.
  • Use dry ice in well-ventilated areas to prevent the buildup of carbon dioxide gas.
  • Store dry ice in a well-ventilated container, such as a cooler with a loose-fitting lid, to allow gas to escape. Never store it in a tightly sealed container.
  • Keep dry ice out of reach of children.
  • Do not place dry ice directly into drinking cups.

Cannabis Candy: Candy Look-a-Likes

Edible forms of THC, such as cannabis candy, infused gummies, or brownies can be especially appealing to children due to their appearance and taste. Ingesting THC-containing edibles can lead to accidental poisoning, with symptoms ranging from nausea, vomiting and drowsiness to more severe symptoms, such as agitation, hallucination, loss of consciousness, and difficulty breathing.

Stay safe from accidental cannabis candy poisoning this Halloween by:

  • Checking ALL candy closely before it is consumed. Be sure it is factory-sealed and closely read the packaging.
  • Checking the candy for a THC warning label.

Were these Halloween Safety Tips helpful? Let us know!

Remember, Poison Help is 100% FREE! Call us at 1-800-222-1222 or visit our website at PoisonHelp.org.