Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital Wishes All a Safe and Fun Halloween

HOUSTON, Oct. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Each year Halloween provides an opportunity for families to get together, get creative with costumes, get outside and, most importantly, have fun. Not stepping on cracks or walking under ladders may just be innocent superstitions, but ensuring a safe weekend for your kids is so simple, it's scary! All parents need to do is remember these spook-free safety tips, courtesy of Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital:

• Costumes. Make sure the length of your child's costume won't cause them to potentially trip or fall. Also, be careful of masks that could obscure your child's vision. If the costume has any accessories such as swords or wands, make sure they are soft or flexible in order to avoid injuries.
• Walking Safety. While trick-or-treating, make sure to always cross the street at corners or crosswalks and walk on sidewalks or paths whenever possible. If you must walk in the street, stay near the edge of the road and face oncoming traffic. If you are driving, be sure to slow down and stay alert in residential areas. Children are typically excited on Halloween and can move quickly and unpredictably.
• Darkness. Keep a flashlight with you while trick-or-treating in case you enter a dark area. Placing reflective tape on costumes or bags can make it easier for drivers to see you in the dark.
• Carving. If carving pumpkins, the adult should always be the one to handle the knife; children can mark on the pumpkin in advance with a marker. Pumpkins lit with candles should be placed on sturdy surfaces, away from curtains or other flammable objects.
• Candy. Parents should always inspect the candy their child receives and remove any potential choking hazards. Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or looks as if it has been tampered with.

"In addition, parents need to be aware of any allergies their child may have," said Dr. Robert Lapus, UTHealth emergency medicine physician affiliated with Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. "Many candies contain peanuts, which is one of the most common food allergies. Candy packages are clearly labeled to help your child avoid any allergic reactions."

Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital asks the community to please remember these safety tips this weekend and wishes all a safe and fun Halloween!

About Memorial Hermann
An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. The system, with its exceptional medical staff and more than 23,000 employees, serves to advance health in Southeast Texas and the Greater Houston community. Memorial Hermann's 13 hospitals include four hospitals in the Texas Medical Center: an acute care hospital which houses the Texas Trauma Institute and a Level I trauma center of which Life Flight® air ambulance is a part, a hospital for children, a rehabilitation hospital and an orthopedic and spine hospital; eight suburban hospitals; and a second rehabilitation hospital in Katy. The system also operates three Heart & Vascular Institutes, the Mischer Neuroscience Institute, three IRONMAN Sports Medicine Institute locations, joint replacement centers, cancer centers, imaging and surgery centers, sports medicine and rehabilitation centers, outpatient laboratories, a chemical dependency treatment center, a home health agency, a retirement community and a nursing home. As an Accountable Care Organization, the system also offers employers health solutions and health benefit plans through its wholly owned Memorial Hermann Health Insurance Company.

Media Contact:
Drew Munhausen // 713.704.5547
[email protected]

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SOURCE Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital

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https://childrens.memorialhermann.org/