Here are some Halloween safety tips from Abrazo ER doctor

Costumes, parties and trick-or-treating make Halloween fun for children and parents alike. Are you ready to provide a safe and healthy Halloween for your family?

A few tips to remember can help keep your trick-or-treating safe and memorable, said Dr. Brian Hess, medical director of emergency services at Abrazo Health hospitals.

Make sure masks fit correctly and costumes are flame resistant and aren’t a tripping hazard. Use caution with makeup. Try testing it on a small patch of skin to see if there’s a reaction. And for the older kids, cosmetic contact lenses can cause corneal abrasions or infection.

Carving pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns is fun, but be careful with that carving knife, Hess said. Younger children can draw faces with markers, then parents can do the carving. A glow stick or flashlight can be used instead of candle to light the pumpkin.

“When you’re ready to go out trick-or-treating, stay in groups for safety, and smaller children should be accompanied by an adult. Keep your eyes up and put away the cell phones and electronics, and carry glow sticks or flash lights easily visible to drivers,” Hess said. “It’s still warm outside so stay hydrated by taking some bottled water with you.”

Drivers should watch for children walking on roadways, enter and exit driveways carefully, and new, inexperienced drivers should be discouraged from driving on Halloween, he added.

Inexpensive healthy alternatives, such as stickers, crayons and play dough can bring a fun twist to Halloween treats when trick-or-treaters come to your door. Factory-packaged snacks like goldfish are another option if you have an aversion to candy.

Once at home, all candy and treats should be sorted by parents or responsible adults. Be mindful of food allergies, and toss any candy or treats that are not in sealed, factory packaging.

“Check expiration dates and inspect all the treats before allowing children to eat them. Don’t let children eat anything with questionable or unknown ingredients, especially if they have food allergies,” emphasized Hess. “Toss out anything that is not in sealed, factory packaging, as well as homemade treats.”

A word of caution: edibles containing cannabis can be packaged to resemble candy or snacks like gummy bears, brownies or cookies. Look for labeling information such as THC content, medicated or marijuana leaves displayed on the packaging and keep it away from children, Hess explained.

Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year. Follow some common sense safety tips and enjoy a fun night for everyone!

For more information about Abrazo Health hospitals, or to find a doctor, visit AbrazoHealth.com.