Halloween is all fun and games—unless someone actually gets hurt. Sure, fake blood is a neat trick. However, people—especially those trick-or-treating with children—will want to prioritize safety over everything else, including first dibs on the best treats.
Dr. Makayla Romboy, MD, is a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician at Pediatrix Medical Group in Las Vegas. She is also a mother of two young children, ages four and eight. Dr. Romboy knows Halloween is frighteningly fun, especially with kids, but she’s seen enough in her time as a pediatric ER doctor to be scared straight about Halloween and safety.
“Halloween is such a fun holiday to celebrate with kids, but it’s always important to consider safety so your family can fully enjoy the holiday, as accidents and choking may be fatal. We all want our kids to be healthy and safe,” Dr. Romboy says.
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Right. That’s why you might make like your parents and inspect candy for razors (eating a few safe packs of your personal favorite Halloween treat while your kid isn’t looking; you’re allowed). Unfortunately, Dr. Romboy says that likely won’t move the safety needle as much as we once believed.
“Razors and other dangerous items embedded in candy are more folklore than a true threat to kids,” Dr. Romboy says. “There are very common and real threats that are more important to worry about, such as choking hazards, traffic dangers and accidental drug ingestions.”
For instance, choking is always a risk, and Halloween is definitely not an exception, given that candy is the culprit in 28% of choking-related hospital visits for kids under age four.
A separate frightening stat and professional experience have made Dr. Romboy especially cautious about this one thing each Halloween. Scroll on for what one pediatric doctor and mother never lets her kids do on Halloween.
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‘What I Won’t Let My Kids Do on Halloween as a Pediatric ER Doctor’
Dr. Romboy, a pediatric ER doctor and mother of two, never, ever lets her kids dart out or cross mid-block where drivers cannot see them while trick-or-treating on Halloween.
“The biggest safety threat to families on Halloween is cars,” Dr. Romboy says. “Drivers may be distracted by the festivities and have a hard time seeing kids in the dark. Kids are also more likely to excitedly cross the street when trick-or-treating.”
As a mother, Dr. Romboy empathizes with parents and kids. Trick-or-treating is so much fun, and it can feel like a race to get to the best candy (or get any candy before it runs out or someone dumps the whole bowl on the porch into their bag).
“It is tempting to dart across the street to get to the next house quickly, but cars may not expect a child in the road mid-block,” Dr. Romboy says. “It is important to cross the street at stop signs and crosswalks after appropriately checking for cars.”
Dr. Romboy points to research showing that the risk of pedestrian fatalities is a whopping 43% higher on Halloween. Plus, children ages four through eight—which spans the age range of her own kids—are 10 times more likely to get hit by a car on Halloween than on any other night. Still, she cautions that you’re never too old to follow the rules.
“Kids are never old enough to dart across a road or cross mid-block,” Dr. Romboy says. “They have a harder time understanding how fast cars are moving and may not pay enough attention to driveways, crossroads and side streets.”
All adults can serve as role models, especially parents on Halloween.
“Parents should always model the safety behavior they want their kids to follow,” Dr. Romboy says. “Children learn more by example than by being told what to do. If they see their parent cross mid-street, even when done safely, they will assume it is safe for them to do so.”
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What To Do Instead
Dr. Romboy urges people to be extra careful, especially during trick-or-treating, because the risk of traffic fatalities spikes on Halloween. Other ways to keep yourself and kids safe include:
Cross at a crosswalk or stop sign every time. Drivers may not expect someone to run out in front of a car. Sadly, Dr. Romboy knows children are more likely to be struck by a car or fall down when running. Wear brightly colored or reflective clothes. Romboy explains that drivers are more likely to see kids when they wear visible clothes. If your kid is going as Batman or a vampire, a reflector can help. Travel as a group. You don’t have eyes in the back of your head. Also, your head doesn’t actually swivel. Dr. Romboy says traveling in groups “allows multiple adults to help watch over children and makes you more visible to drivers.”Strength in numbers is sweeter than a Pixie stick.
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Sources:
Dr. Makayla Romboy, MD, is a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician at Pediatrix Medical Group in Las Vegas Nonfatal choking on food among children 14 years or younger in the United States, 2001-2009. Pediatrics. Pedestrian Fatalities Associated With Halloween in the United States. JAMA Pediatrics.Hence then, the article about i m a pediatric er doctor this is what i won t let my kids do on halloween was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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