CHRISTUS Health offers safety tips to keep families safe this Halloween
(EAST TEXAS) – As families across East Texas prepare for a night of costumes, candy and spooky fun, CHRISTUS Health is reminding parents and children alike to keep safety top of mind this Halloween.
“Halloween is such a great time to make memories for children and adults,” said Shelby Ivey, trauma program manager at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. “We want everyone to enjoy the night, but to do so safely, avoiding the preventable injuries we see each year.”
Ivey said the most common injuries seen around Halloween are ground-level falls. More than two-thirds of trauma patients seen during Halloween have injuries like head trauma and broken bones from falls
With more children now using electric scooters and bikes to reach more houses, she urges parents to ensure proper safety gear like helmets, knee pads and reflective clothing are worn at all times.
To help families stay safe, Ivey recommends
- Never go inside a house – accept treats only from the door.
- Walk, don’t run. Long costumes or uneven sidewalks can cause trips.
- Stay visible by carrying
flashlights and with at least one person in the group wearing highly visible or reflective clothing, especially as day turns to night. - Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
- Stick to sidewalks and familiar routes.
- Parents should check all treats at home before eating, avoiding unwrapped or homemade items.
- Know your location in case of emergency and carry a charged cell phone.
“This Halloween should be about laughter and excitement,” Ivey said. “Taking a few extra steps for safety ensures those moments last long after the candy’s gone.”
About CHRISTUS Health
CHRISTUS Health is an international faith-based, not-for-profit health care system based in Irving, Texas, with more than 60 hospitals in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. CHRISTUS Health is made up of 50,000 Associates providing compassionate and individualized care at more than 600 centers, including community hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and health ministries. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual we serve. For more information, visit www.christushealth.org