Children top the Halloween Injury and Treatment list at Vhi SwiftCare Clinics last year
57% of Patients attending Vhi Swiftcare Clinics on Halloween Night last year were children
Top Tips for “Halloween Safety” from Vhi Swiftcare Clinics
29th October, 2015 – Each Halloween, the Vhi SwiftCare Clinics see a sharp increase in the number of visitors with fall-related injuries such as sprains or breaks, cuts, minor burns and eye injuries. In 2014 the Clinics treated over 160 patients on Halloween evening alone – of those presenting, over 57% were children under the age of 18.
Dr Brian Gaffney, Medical Director, Vhi SwiftCare Clinics said “Halloween should be a fun filled evening but we must ensure safety is top of the agenda. While we all enjoy the odd scare at Halloween, we want to avoid any medical mishaps when it comes to child safety. Vhi SwiftCare Clinics are calling for all parents to have a happy and safer Halloween by taking some simple preventative measures to avoid any medical scares this Saturday.”
Trick or Treat with an Adult – make it a family event by accompanying young children as they trick-or-treat. Routes should be planned before leaving the house so that everyone knows where they are going. Children should only visit homes they know and be aware never enter a stranger’s home.
Walk Tall and Safe – cross the street using traffic lights and signals if available. Always look left, right and left again when crossing and mobile phones should be put away. Encourage your children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing out in front on them.
Keep Costumes Creative and Safe – costumes should be loose enough for warm clothes to go underneath but not so long as to cause any trips or falls. Reflective strips can be added to costumes to increase visibility outdoors. Choose face paint or makeup over masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision.
Be fire aware – Do not allow children to go anywhere near bonfires or to handle fireworks. Keep any lanterns or candles away from doorsteps and out of the reach of small children to avoid any costumes going up in flames. Many shop bought costumes are made with synthetic highly flammable materials so check whether they have the CE mark and the flame resistant label (EN-71-2) to show that the manufacturer is complying with safety standards. It doesn’t mean they are fireproof but they will resist burning for a longer period
Drive extra safely – Drivers need to slow down and be especially alert in residential areas. Popular hours for trick-or-treating are between 5pm and 8pm so be especially alert for young children who may inadvertently run off the pavement
Don't eat any sweets before returning home — choking is a very common hazard amongst children, especially those on the move. Parents should inspect the sweets before their children consume any treats
Ration the treats – for a healthier option, doling out treats a few at a time will avoid any tummy or toothaches. They can be put aside to be enjoyed over the coming days.
In the event of a medical emergency this Halloween, Dr Gaffney advised that if someone is injured, take the following steps:
Falls – Stay calm and don’t rush to get the casualty to stand up. If someone cannot feel their arms/legs, has hit their head or lost consciousness, call an ambulance immediately. If someone has a suspected broken bone or sprain, you can either visit your local care urgent care centre or your local Accident & Emergency Department.
In all instances where you expect a break, strain or sprain, remember to PRICE: P= protect; R = rest; I = ice; C = compress; E = elevate.
Burns – Immediately run cold water over the affected area for 15-20 minutes. Cover the area with cling film or clean cloth. Do NOT use ice, ice water or creams. Please seek medical attention from your GP, local urgent care clinic or local emergency department.
All adults and children should be aware of the “STOP, DROP and ROLL” technique should the worst happen and their clothing catch fire. By stopping, dropping to the ground (lying flat covering eyes and mouth) and then rolling around will allow the ground to suffocate the flames rather than burning your hand.
Eye injuries – Minor eye irritations can be treated by flushing the eye with sterile water but if there is any doubt as to the severity of the injury, please seek medical attention immediately
Deep Cuts – If you have a cut that is bleeding a lot, apply pressure firmly over the affected area with a clean cloth. Seek medical attention if you are unable to stop the bleeding after 5-10 minutes or if the edges are gaping apart.
ENDS
Note to Editors
Vhi Swiftcare Clinics are Ireland’s first walk-in, urgent care clinics, providing rapid assessment, treatment and advice for patients with a range of minor injuries and illnesses. Conditions that can be treated in the Vhi SwiftCare Clinics include: potential breaks, sprains, bumps and bruises, minor burns or cuts that may need a stitch. The Vhi SwiftCare Clinics do not treat serious medical conditions such as difficulty in breathing, severe chest pain, loss of consciousness and severe burns. The Clinics do not treat children less than 12 months of age or pregnancy-related conditions. The Clinics can be visited by all members of the public, not just Vhi Healthcare members, and are open 365 days a year from 8am to 10pm.
The Vhi SwiftCare Clinics can be contacted on 1890 866 966. Further information on the Vhi SwiftCare Clinics is available
Vhi_Press
29-Oct-2015