The Tricks We Play on Ourselves This Halloween

We've All Done It… But Was It Safe?

The Tricks We Play on Ourselves This Halloween

We've all had those moments.

You leave something on the counter thinking, "I'll put that away in a minute." You grab a cleaning product without reading the label. You let the kids play with glow sticks because, well, they're just glow sticks.

Most of the time, nothing happens. And maybe that's exactly why we keep doing it.

October is filled with reminders about Halloween safety, but what about the everyday tricks we play on ourselves when we assume something is harmless simply because we've always done it that way?

Halloween is supposed to be about costumes, candy, spooky decorations, and a little harmless fun. But some of the things we use to make the holiday exciting can create unexpected poison risks.

And the surprising part? Many of these risks have nothing to do with the candy collected on Halloween night.

So, before the costumes come out and the pumpkins get carved, let's talk about a few things we've probably all done without giving them much thought.

"It's Just a Glow Stick!"

Glow sticks have become a Halloween favorite. They're inexpensive, colorful, and a great way to help children stay visible while trick-or-treating.

But have you ever seen a toddler with a glow stick?

There's a good chance that at some point, it's going straight into their mouth.

Glow sticks contain chemicals that create their colorful glow. While the liquid inside is generally considered to have low toxicity, it can cause irritation to the mouth, skin, or eyes. And anyone who has accidentally tasted that liquid can tell you it's not exactly pleasant!

The bigger concern is that children may bite through the plastic, causing the liquid to leak.

A Little Caution Goes a Long Way: Keep an eye on little ones playing with glow sticks and toss any that are cracked or leaking. If the glowing liquid ends up in someone's mouth or eyes, don't panic! Give the poison center a call at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance on what to do next. After all, the glow should stay in the stick, not on the kids!

"That Makeup Should Be Fine!"

Halloween costumes wouldn't be complete without a little face paint, fake blood, or special-effects makeup.

But how many of us actually read the labels before applying these products?

Sometimes we grab whatever looks good at the store, use leftover makeup from last year, or even experiment with products that weren't intended for skin.

Not all decorative products are approved for use on the face or around the eyes. Certain ingredients can cause irritation, and some products may contain substances that are unsafe when swallowed or used incorrectly.

Just because something is marketed for Halloween doesn't automatically mean it's appropriate for every age group.

Before You Paint That Little Monster… Choose skin-safe cosmetics, check expiration dates, and test a small area of skin before applying makeup. Avoid getting products in the eyes or ears and always remove makeup gently with mild cleansers. If staining remains, skip the harsh scrubbing! If a reaction occurs or makeup accidentally gets into the eyes, contact the poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. After all, the only thing we want lingering after Halloween is the candy—not the green face paint  

"It's Just Candy… Right?"

Let's face it. Halloween and candy go hand in hand.

But what happens when something that isn't candy looks exactly like it?

Chewable vitamins, gummy medications, and cannabis edibles can resemble familiar treats. To a young child, a colorful gummy is simply a colorful gummy.

Children don't necessarily understand that one gummy is a piece of candy while another contains medication or another potentially harmful substance.

Halloween can make this confusion even more likely when candy bowls, treat bags, and colorful packages are everywhere.

A Treat of Advice....Keep medications, supplements, and cannabis products locked away and separate from Halloween treats. Never refer to medication as candy, even when trying to encourage a child to take it.

And remember, if a child gets into an unknown product, don't wait for symptoms before calling Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 

"A Little More Fog Would Look Amazing!"

Who doesn't love a spooky Halloween setup?

Fog machines, bubbling cauldrons, and eerie decorations can turn an ordinary front porch into a haunted house.

But some special effects require a little extra caution.

Dry ice is commonly used to create dramatic fog effects. However, dry ice is extremely cold and can cause serious frostbite-like injuries if handled with bare skin.

It also releases carbon dioxide gas as it warms. In enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, carbon dioxide can accumulate and create a dangerous environment.

A Trick Worth Remembering: When using dry ice, always wear insulated gloves, keep it out of children's reach, and make sure the area is well-ventilated. Never place dry ice in sealed containers or directly into drinks, as it can cause serious injuries. After all, the goal is to create a spooky atmosphere, not a real-life Halloween horror story!

"A Science Experiment Instead of Candy? How Fun!"

Handing out little science experiment kits instead of candy might seem like a fun and educational Halloween treat. But have you ever stopped to look at what's actually inside them? Some kits contain ingredients such as Alka-Seltzer tablets, which are medications, not just harmless fizzing tablets. Depending on the product, these tablets may contain aspirin and other active ingredients that can be harmful if swallowed by children. When handed out without instructions or adult supervision, curious little scientists might mistake the tablets for candy or put them in their mouths. 

Don't Let the Fun Turn Frightful... Before handing out science kits, check the ingredients, age recommendations, and instructions. Choose nonmedicated, age-appropriate activities, and make sure parents know what's inside. After all, Halloween experiments should create fun reactions.