Halloween Safety Month: Avoid Scary Eye Accidents

Choose Safe Costumes

As you put the finishing touches on your Halloween ensemble, it's crucial to keep eye safety in mind. It's best to avoid costumes that have sharp, protruding, or pointed elements. Such features can pose a risk not only to your eyes but also to those around you. When opting for a mask as part of your attire, ensure that it doesn’t hinder your vision. With so much happening on Halloween night, clear sight is essential. Stay safe and enjoy the festivities by making informed costume choices.

Use Makeup and Masks with Caution

As you prepare for this year's Halloween festivities, whether you're considering a mask or makeup, there are important factors to bear in mind. The skin on your face, especially around your eyes, is delicate. It's advisable to invest in quality makeup products to avoid irritations or potential infections. Steering clear of low-grade cosmetics can save you from unforeseen skin concerns. For those leaning towards masks, fit is paramount. Masks that are either too large or too small can misalign with your eyes, preventing clear vision. Especially if you'll be moving around frequently, an ill-fitting mask can shift, potentially obstructing your sight on an already dimly lit evening. Given the considerations, our suggestion would be to opt for makeup if you find yourself torn between the two choices. 

Give Costume Props a Miss

When you're picking out a Halloween costume, think about the props. These can include anything from fake swords, brooms, wands, staves, or even baseball bats. Sure, props can give your costume that extra "oomph," but they come with their own set of challenges. If you or your kids are set on adding these props to the mix, just make sure everyone's careful with them. While they're not real, if they hit someone in the eye they can still cause very real damage. So, if props are a must-have for your Halloween look, just remember to be mindful and prioritize safety. 

Be Careful with Colored Contacts

Don’t use non-prescription colored contacts. Just don’t. Colored contacts that haven’t been approved by the FDA and prescribed by your eye doctor are often made with cheaper materials that aren’t as durable as prescription contacts. Using store-bought colored contacts could potentially lead to a host of problems for your eyes such as corneal scratches and abrasions, severe eye irritation or infection, dry eye and allergies, or even visual impairment or blindness. If you want colored contacts this Halloween season, make sure to book an appointment with the optical specialists at Grene Vision Group at one of our Kansas locations. We’ll get you fitted in a pair of contacts that looks fantastic and is safe for your unique eyes.

Make Sure Decorations Are Safe

Making your Halloween decorations spooky and safe is totally doable! Given the number of kids around during Halloween, it's key to ensure everyone who visits has a safe experience. Make sure nothing is blocking your walkways or front door. It's all about giving those trick-or-treaters a clear route. After all, the last thing you want is someone taking a tumble. And it's probably a good idea to skip decorations with sharp edges. If someone isn’t careful, they might accidentally bump into them and injure their eyes. Don't forget about lighting! A well-lit porch means everyone can easily see their way. 

Keep an Eye Out for Kids

On Halloween night, a top priority should be keeping a close eye on the little ones. If you're venturing out for some trick-or-treating, it's essential to stay close to your children, ensuring they don't unexpectedly dart into the street or lose their way in the neighborhood. Additionally, take a moment to inspect their costumes. If there's a mask involved, double-check that they have clear visibility to prevent any mishaps. And if a costume seems to be dragging a bit, it might be too long and could pose a tripping hazard. Safety first, and then the Halloween fun can follow!

Light Up the Night

Halloween without illuminated pumpkins and decorations? It's almost unthinkable. Proper lighting is crucial, not only for enhancing your decorations but also for safety during trick-or-treating excursions. Equip yourself with flashlights, consider glow sticks, or even apply reflective tape. These measures can serve to brighten the night, ensuring pathways are discernible and that you're easily seen by others. It's also extremely important to have well-lit porch areas and paths. Adequate lighting guarantees that families and trick-or-treaters can approach your residence safely. If, however, you've decided not to distribute candy this year, remember to turn your porch light off. This is the universal signal that you aren’t receiving trick-or-treaters. 

Stay Hydrated

If you’re going trick-or-treating, you’re going to be doing a lot of walking. If you aren’t careful, it’s easy to get dehydrated. This is especially true if you or your kids are wearing costumes that cover most of your body and trap heat. Drink plenty of water throughout the night to stay refreshed and invigorated. It’s also a good idea to stay hydrated to avoid eye conditions like dry eyes. Having itchy, watery eyes is definitely not how you want to end your night of spooktacular fun.