- 26
- Oct
Emergency physicians reveal top Halloween dangers
Cars, cuts top list of preventable injuries
On Halloween night, the number of children we see struck by vehicles is twice that of any other night,It’s the most common incident we see – and one of the most preventable.
San Antonio – While Freddie Krueger and Michael Myers have haunted the dreams of children for generations, local physicians say there will be something even scarier roaming the streets of San Antonio this Halloween: cars.
“On Halloween night, the number of children we see struck by vehicles is twice that of any other night,” says Greater San Antonio Emergency Physicians Board Certified Pediatric Emergency Physician Dr. Sebrina Perkins. “It’s the most common incident we see – and one of the most preventable.”
Dr. Perkins says there are some easy guidelines parents can follow to protect their kids from injury:
- Pumpkin Carving
More than 17 percent of Halloween accidents are hand injuries, and roughly a third of those are cuts, according to a 2010 study in the journal Pediatrics. When carving a pumpkin, have children trace out the design they want with pencils or markers, then have parents do the carving. - Costumes
Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent trips and falls and have a flame resistant label. Swords and knives should be made from soft, flexible materials. - Visibility
Avoid masks and dark colored costumes if possible. If the costume requires a mask, make sure it allows a full range of vision. If the costume is dark, add lights, reflectors, and a flashlight to ensure proper visibility.
Dr. Perkins is available to explain these and other valuable Halloween safety tips to keep kids out of the emergency room. To schedule an interview with Dr. Perkins, contact JT Street via email at jt@esdandassociates.com or by phone at (210)348-8008.
About GSEP
When it was founded in 1980, Greater San Antonio Emergency Physicians was the first all board-certified emergency physicians group in the state of Texas. This year, the group will care for more than 200,000 patients at multiple facilities throughout the San Antonio area. GSEP is dedicated to providing the best medical care possible to those patients, and ensuring that patients are properly informed about their medical options.