As you get your little ghosts and goblins ready for a great night out trick-or-treating this Halloween, be sure you take steps to prevent something truly frightening from happening as they celebrate enjoyable holiday traditions.
Here are six of the most common Halloween injuries, along with tips to prevent them, courtesy of Doctors Express Urgent Care Centers
1) Car accidents
Children are twice as likely to be killed by a car while walking on Halloween night, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians. Dress kids in glow-in-the-dark costumes so they really stand out. Stick reflective tape all over their costumes and loot bags to increase visibility. Children  should carry flashlights.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, nearly 60 percent of Halloween highway fatalities involve impaired drivers, so partying adults should be sure to have a designated driver.
2) Wounds and stabbings
Swords and knives make for fun adventures but not when they hurt someone. Doctors expect to see accidental stabbings and even eye wounds during Halloween as a result of the use of blunt objects. To prevent injury, only allow costume weapons made only of flexible material.
3) Fright Night fires and burns
Pumpkins with candles inside are decorative, but they can be a fire hazard. Consider replacing real flame candles with battery-operated candles. Also, read costume labels carefully and dress children only in flame-resistant materials.
4) Allergic reactions/infections
‘Tis the holiday for crazy makeup, body paint and contact lenses that can cause serious allergic reactions and infections. Test makeup and body paint on a section of the arm to make sure there is no reaction. The FDA says stores shouldn’t sell contact lenses without a proper measuring and fitting, but some costume shops carry them anyway. Keep the eyes in mind: what you need to know about circle contact lenses.
5) Cuts, bruises and broken bones
Dressed in outlandish costumes and masks, Halloween partygoers and trick-or-treaters will trip, fall and hurt themselves. In fact, falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury on Halloween, according to the National Safety Council.
Make sure eye openings on masks are wide enough so wearers can see clearly. Be careful of decorative high heels or wacky shoes and slippers that make it difficult to walk. Children should keep costumes as tight fitting and as short as possible so they don’t trip.
Stomach aches and nausea
Eat dinner or a snack before hitting the town to trick-or-treat or before heading to a costume party. Overindulging in candy (or alcoholic beverages, for adults) can lead to sickness and vomiting on an empty stomach.
Avoid digging into a basket or bag of candy and scooping out a handful of germs. It’s better if homeowners hand out a piece or two.
