On Halloween, See and Be Seen

Halloween can be a scary night, but children’s safety should not be one of the things that make you scream. On October 31st, children and adults alike enjoy dressing up, and trick-or-treating for sweets. The scary fact is, “children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year1.” To help you have the best Halloween yet, the Michigan Optometric Association Children’s Vision Care committee has put together this list of ways to help your children be seen on Halloween, and reminders for adults as you plan your costumes and trick-or-treat route.

Children:

• Wear reflective material or carry a flashlight or glow-sticks
• Cross at lights or crosswalks, and look both ways
• Make sure that masks fit appropriately, and do not block vision
• Wear costumes that have light or bright colors, and that do not impede movement
• Walk (don’t run!) between houses to avoid tripping or falling

Adults:

• Drive slowly, reduce distractions, and watch for small children, especially in residential neighborhoods
• Accompany young individuals or groups of small children to help them cross at walks, and when indicated by lights
• Keep a house light on to help children be seen more easily
• Encourage trick-or-treating before it gets dark
• Discuss safety with kids before Halloween so that they know what to look out for

Eye Health:

• NEVER buy costume contact lenses online or over-the-counter! Contact lenses are medical devices that should be fit by a licensed eye care practitioner, to avoid poor fit, infection, or other permanent complications.2 Find a provider near you at https://themoa.org
• Test makeup before applying to whole face to avoid potential allergic reactions, and be sure to remove completely before bed

Happy haunting, and stay safe! For more Halloween safety tips for costumes, candy, and COVID, please visit the following websites:

https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2019/10/halloweentips/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/halloween-safety/art-20044976
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html

Contact Information

Chelsea Stevens

Communications Coordinator

Michigan Optometric Association

chelsea@themoa.org