Every year, children end up injured as a direct result of taking part in Halloween activities.
Every year, children end up injured as a direct result of taking part in Halloween activities.
Halloween is one of the busiest times of the year for emergency services and startling figures on the increase of injuries treated at Hibernian Aviva Health’s Xpress Med Urgent Care Centre confirms this avoidable trend. Admissions to Xpress Med during the Halloween period increase by 50%.
Dr Richard Aboud, medical director at Hibernian Aviva Health’s Xpress Med Urgent Care Centres, said: "Hibernia Aviva Health Xpress Med has seen a 50% increase in easily avoidable injuries such as burn injuries and minor trauma from falls and fire-works during the Halloween break.
"Halloween is a fun time for adults and children alike but children are more prone to accidents when taking part in Halloween activities, taking a common sense approach to the evening will without doubt prevent the vast majority of injuries."
Talking about burns, Dr Richard Aboud said: "Minor burns as a result of fireworks are very common at this time of year and the proper first-aid treatment can greatly increase successful recovery. There are many myths about the treatment of minor burns that parents should be aware of. Do not burst skin blisters, do not remove skin, do not apply creams or lotions or butter on the burns!
"The affected area should be immediately kept under cold running water for 10 minutes, this cools down the localized high heat and reduces further burns. The burnt area should be covered with sterile, non-fluffy dressing such as cling film. Always seek professional advice from your medical practitioner."
Hibernian Aviva Health, as part of National Kids Health month, is calling on parents to be extra vigilant during Halloween and has the following advice and simple safety precautions to help make sure Halloween is a fun time for all the family.
- Firstly, you should know where your first-aid kit is stored at home. Check it and make sure it is well stocked.
- Write up a card with contact details of your local medical practitioner and leave it somewhere safe. In the event of a medical emergency, having the numbers you need to call at hand can safe valuable time and reduce stress and panic.
- Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure the costume fits properly so it doesn’t drag along the ground and pay particular attention to the shoes, ill fitting shoes can easily cause a fall. Remember to leave enough room for kids to wear warm clothes under their costume as Halloween night can get very cold.
- The eye holes in masks should be large enough for good peripheral vision. This will prevent trips and falls on the road.
- Check that the material in costumes and all accessories including wigs, beards, scarves and hats are flame resistant as bonfires and fireworks are a big part of Halloween. A fire proof costume could prevent severe burns or respiratory problems should it catch fire.
- Don’t forget to put reflective tape and stickers on the costume to ensure trick-or-treaters are visible to traffic.
- If the costume has accessories such as a sword, check that there are no sharp edges and that it is smooth and flexible so it won’t cause an injury if it is fallen on.
- Avoid nasty skin irritations and rashes by spot testing facepaints and glitter before applying to the face. Always use non-toxic paints.
Not only are the tricks a cause for concern, parents should also keep an eye out for the treats too. - Start Halloween night with a "spooky" dinner. This will help reduce the amount of sweets kids eat while trick-or-treating.
- Nuts and boiled sweets could potentially cause obstruction and choking so parents’ should check their child’s goodie bags.
Hibernian Aviva Health National Kids Health Month runs for the month of October. It is a health information campaign which aims to raise family health awareness among consumers around the country with a particular focus on safety, first aid and healthy eating.
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For further information please contact:
Kate Candon
Fleishman-Hillard
01 6188472 /086 8654904
Kate Shorten
Fleishman-Hillard
01 6188415 / 086 7917555
Notes to editors:
About Hibernian Aviva Health
Hibernian Aviva Health is a division of Hibernian Aviva, Hibernian Aviva Group is Ireland’s leading insurance company with 1.2 million customers across the general insurance, life and pensions and health insurance sectors. Hibernian Aviva Group is a subsidiary of Aviva plc. Aviva is one of the world’s largest savings, general insurance and investment groups with the purpose of delivering prosperity and peace of mind to its customers.
Hibernian Aviva Health Xpress Med
Hibernian Aviva Health, in association with Charter Medical Group opened its first Xpress Med Urgent Care centre at Smithfield Market, Dublin 7 in September 2008. The centre’s objective is to offer a fast, efficient and high end alternative to the overcrowded A&E departments in Dublin and surrounding regions. It means that people who traditionally waited hours at A&E to be treated for minor injuries and illnesses can now attend the Smithfield facility and be treated within one hour in a comfortable environment.
The Hibernian Aviva Health Xpress Med Centre is open seven days a week until 8pm with an enhanced GP out of hour’s service also available. The centre is available to everyone at a cost of €105 for an appointment with a discounted rate of €75 for Hibernian Aviva Health members (members can also claim a further €30 per visit if they are covered by the health insurers day-to-day plans). There is no appointment is necessary and patients presenting at the centre will be treated with one hour.