Smart Safety: Avoiding Halloween Poisons

Adulterated candy isn’t the only hazard that kids face on Halloween, according to the California Poison Control System(CPCS). Keep them safe this Halloween with these 10 tips. 

1. Glow-in-the-dark jewelry and glow sticks are used by parents to keep their children visible while trick-or-treating. Children may break open these glow sticks getting the liquid on their hands and in their mouths which can be mildly irritating to the skin or eyes but is not likely to cause harm if a small amount is ingested. 
2. Children should not eat treats until they return home and all items have been inspected by an adult. Torn, loose or punctured wrapping may be a sign of tampering which should be reported to the police.
3. Limit the amount of candy ingested at one time. Too much candy can cause stomach discomfort, and sugars and other sweeteners can act as laxatives when consumed in large amounts.
4. If a child brings home a brand of candy that is not familiar, throw it away. Some imported candies have high levels of lead that can be harmful.
5. Candy that is unwrapped should be discarded immediately.
6. Fruit treats should be washed and cut open before being eaten.
7. Homemade treats should be discarded unless the individuals who prepared them are well known and trusted.
8. Small pieces of candy are potential choking hazards for small children.
9. Fog making machines can use hazardous liquids. Dry ice should never be handled with bare hands, and the gas produced must be well ventilated.
10. Some Halloween makeup contains lead as do many regular cosmetics. Checkwww.safecosmetics.org for safe makeup to use on children.

About CPCS

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (number is the same in all states) for questions about Halloween or other poison encounters. Trained pharmacists, nurses and other providers are available to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is free, confidential and interpreters are available.  Get weekly tips about safety by texting TIPS to 20121 for English or texting PUNTOS to 20121 for Spanish. Follow CPCS on Facebook and on Twitter @poisoninfo. CPCS is part of the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy and is responsible to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority.