October Halloween Safety Month

Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy bright colors. Adults and kids alike love to dress up and go to parties and trick or treat. However, while putting on a Halloween costume is fun, it also poses hazards for your eyes. Every year, thousands of people suffer eye problems as a result of Halloween activities. Sharp edges from a toy sword may hurt your child when walking around in the dark. These simple tips help you and all of your family members avoid the emergency room. 

Get an Eye Exam

Everyone needs an annual eye exam. Autumn is a great time to get a checkup. Exams can identify any underlying problems such as nearsightedness that can be easily corrected. Children benefit from exams that allow doctors to discover and fix eye issues so they can learn better. 

Glasses and Contact Lens Safety

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, stay safe this October by making sure these items are cleaned properly. Clean your hands before touching them. Keep glasses in a protected case when not in use. Some people choose cosmetic contact lenses to change the color of their eyes as part of their costume. Doing so can harm your eyes. If you decide to choose colored contact lenses, only do so with a prescription from a trained medical professional. 

Picking a Costume

Make sure your Halloween costume is safe for your eyes. Avoid costumes that may block off part or all of your vision. Floppy hats and wigs can get in your way and make it hard to see where you’re going. Costumes should reach to your feet and not drag on the ground. 

Safe Trick or Treating

Make sure you have a flashlight or a cellphone with a flashlight so you can see where you’re going. Go with a group. This way you can ask other people for directions if you get lost. Put a piece of reflective tape on your bags to hold candy. That way you’ll have something you can see in the dark when you’re walking around.