Prepare for Common Halloween Injuries: First Aid Guidance for the Spooky Season

Halloween is a time for fun, costumes, and celebration, but it’s also a night when accidents and injuries are more likely to happen. Whether you’re out trick-or-treating with children or hosting a party, it’s important to be prepared for common injuries that can occur.

Knowing some basic first aid can make all the difference in preventing a minor accident from becoming a more serious issue. Here’s a guide to help you handle common Halloween injuries with confidence.

Cuts and Scrapes

From carving pumpkins to navigating dark streets, cuts and scrapes are among the most common Halloween injuries.

What to Do:

• Clean the wound immediately with cool, clean water to wash out dirt or debris.
• Apply antiseptic cream or wipes to prevent infection.
• Cover the wound with a sterile adhesive dressing, ensuring it's dry and clean.
• Monitor for infection: If redness, swelling, or discharge develops, contact your GP or NHS 111.

Prevention Tips:

• Use pumpkin carving kits designed for children or supervised tools.
• Make sure costumes fit properly to prevent tripping hazards, and ensure everyone has a torch or reflective gear when walking outside in the dark.

Burns

Open flames from candles or jack-o’-lanterns can easily lead to burns, particularly if costumes or decorations catch fire.

What to Do:

• Cool the burn by running it under cool (not cold) water for at least 10 minutes.
• Remove any jewellery or tight clothing from the area, but avoid removing anything stuck to the skin.
• Cover the burn with cling film or a sterile non-stick dressing.
• Seek medical help: If the burn is large, deep, or affects the face or hands, call NHS 111 or visit A&E.

Prevention Tips:

• Use battery-operated LED lights in pumpkins instead of candles.
• Keep flammable materials, such as costumes and decorations, well away from open flames.
• Educate children on fire safety and ensure lit decorations are placed out of reach.

Trips and Falls

Costumes with long skirts or cloaks, poorly lit pathways, and crowded events can lead to tripping and falling.

What to Do:

• Assess for injuries: Check for cuts, bruises, or more serious injuries like sprains or fractures.
• For minor injuries, apply a cold compress to any swelling and rest the injured area.
• For suspected fractures, immobilise the limb, avoid moving the person, and seek medical assistance from NHS 111 or A&E.
• If there’s a head injury, monitor for signs of concussion such as dizziness, nausea, or confusion.

Prevention Tips:

Make sure costumes are the right length to prevent tripping.
Carry torches or wear high-visibility gear, especially in rural areas or poorly lit streets.
Keep pathways clear of obstacles if you're hosting an event or decorating your home.

Allergic Reactions

Halloween treats often contain common allergens like nuts, dairy, and gluten. It's essential to be cautious, especially with children who have food allergies.

What to Do:

Identify the allergy: Symptoms like swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing may indicate an allergic reaction.
Administer antihistamines for mild reactions (such as itching or hives).
Use an auto-injector (EpiPen) if anaphylaxis occurs, then call 999 immediately for emergency services.

Prevention Tips:

Check all Halloween sweets and treats for allergens before allowing children to eat them.
Provide allergen-free alternatives or non-food items (like toys or stickers) for children with allergies.
Inform your child’s friends or group leaders of their allergies in advance.

Eye Injuries

Costume accessories like swords, wands, or masks with limited visibility can lead to eye injuries, as can non-prescribed decorative contact lenses, which are illegal to buy without a prescription in the UK.

What to Do:

• Flush the eye gently with clean water if any foreign object is present.
• Do not rub the eye, as this could worsen the injury.
• Seek medical attention: If there’s severe pain, blurred vision, or if you cannot remove the object safely, go to A&E.

Prevention Tips:

• Avoid using sharp or pointed accessories in costumes.
• Only use decorative contact lenses prescribed by a qualified professional in the UK.
• Choose costumes that don’t obstruct vision or require frequent adjustment.

Choking Hazards

Small sweets, toys, or objects in Halloween bags pose a choking risk, especially for young children.

What to Do:

• Encourage coughing: If the person is coughing, allow them to try to dislodge the object themselves.
• Perform back blows and abdominal thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre): If they cannot breathe, give five firm back blows between the shoulder blades, followed by five abdominal thrusts.
• Call 999: If the blockage isn't dislodged quickly or the person becomes unresponsive, call for emergency help and begin CPR if necessary.

Prevention Tips:

• Keep small sweets and toys away from young children.
• Educate children not to put objects or unfamiliar sweets in their mouths until they’ve been checked.
• Cut up small sweets into smaller, manageable pieces for toddlers.

Poisoning

Children can accidentally ingest non-food items like glow sticks, makeup, or fake blood, which may contain toxic substances.

What to Do:

• Remove any remaining substance from the mouth, but do not induce vomiting.
• Rinse the mouth with water.
• Call NHS 111 or take the person to A&E if you are unsure whether the substance is toxic or if symptoms worsen.

Prevention Tips:

• Store Halloween products such as glow sticks, fake blood, and face paints out of reach of children.
• Use only non-toxic face paints and makeup that are certified safe for use.
• Teach children to avoid ingesting any Halloween decorations or novelty items.

Conclusion

While Halloween is an exciting time, it’s essential to be prepared for the potential accidents and injuries that may arise. Having a basic knowledge of first aid will help you handle emergencies effectively. Ensure your first aid kit is well-stocked and easily accessible, and consider brushing up on your first aid skills through a certified course.
For further guidance on first aid or to book a course, visit Imperative Training or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.