Halloween can be one of the busiest nights of the fall for families in North Colorado Springs. Children swarm the streets in costumes, neighborhoods fill with trick-or-treaters and families gather for parties and seasonal activities.
Families in the Briargate area have plenty of opportunities to enjoy Halloween close to home. The Promenade Shops at Briargate hosts its annual Boo at Briargate celebration, while Cottonwood Creek Park provides another familiar gathering spot for families enjoying the area's parks and trails.
Whether your plans involve an organized Halloween event, neighborhood trick-or-treating or an evening in Briargate or Chapel Hills, a little preparation can help reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents, falls and other common Halloween injuries.
How Can You Make Trick-or-Treating Safer?
The excitement of collecting candy can make it easy for children to forget basic pedestrian safety. Before leaving home, establish a few simple rules and make sure younger children remain with an adult.
Remind kids to:
- Stay on sidewalks whenever possible
- Stop and look both ways before crossing.
- Use crosswalks rather than crossing between parked vehicles.
- Stay with their group or designated adult.
- Avoid running across streets or through driveways.
- Keep phones and other distractions put away while walking.
- Carry a flashlight as it gets darker.
Visibility is particularly important during Halloween because many children wear dark costumes. Reflective tape, glow sticks or other visibility accessories can make children easier for drivers and other pedestrians to see.
If you're attending Boo at Briargate, take advantage of the organized event environment, but still keep younger children close. Crowded Halloween events can make it easy for children to become separated from their families.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Halloween Costume?
A costume that looks great in photos may not necessarily be the safest option for walking around the neighborhood.
Make sure your child's costume does not drag on the ground or interfere with their ability to walk. Masks should not block peripheral vision, and makeup should be applied carefully around the eyes and mouth.
Shoes deserve attention, too. Halloween is not the best night for children to try walking several blocks in uncomfortable shoes or footwear that makes them unsteady.
If your child is carrying a prop, make sure it is lightweight and does not have sharp edges.
How Can Parents Prevent Common Halloween Injuries?
Falls are among the easiest Halloween injuries to prevent. Before trick-or-treating begins, check your child's costume, footwear and accessories. At home, keep porches and walkways clear of cords, decorations and other objects that could cause a trip.
Parents should also remind children to use caution around decorations. Fog machines, candles, uneven landscaping and other Halloween displays can create unexpected hazards.
Families spending time around local parks such as Cottonwood Creek Park should also remember that outdoor conditions can change as daylight fades. Keep children where adults can easily see them and make sure everyone has appropriate footwear.
What Should You Do If Your Child Is Injured While Trick-or-Treating?
Not every Halloween injury requires a trip to the emergency room. Minor scrapes, small bruises and some mild bumps can often be treated at home. However, certain injuries may warrant evaluation by a medical provider.
Consider AFC for concerns such as:
- Possible sprains or strains
- Minor cuts or wounds
- Persistent pain after a fall
- Swelling or bruising that concerns you
- Possible minor fractures
- Minor burns
- Other non-life-threatening injuries that need professional evaluation
If your child has severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, a serious head injury or another potentially life-threatening condition, seek emergency medical care.
When Is AFC Urgent Care a Good Option After Halloween?
A Halloween injury can happen at any point during the evening, and you may not always be able to wait for a primary care appointment. AFC North Colorado Springs offers walk-in urgent care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
For families in Briargate, Chapel Hills, Rockrimmon and surrounding North Colorado Springs communities, having a nearby urgent care option can make it easier to get an injury evaluated without a traditional primary care appointment.
If a child twists an ankle while trick-or-treating, falls on a sidewalk or needs evaluation for another minor Halloween injury, AFC Urgent Care can provide convenient medical evaluation.
Visit AFC Urgent Care North Colorado Springs for walk-in care when a Halloween injury needs medical attention.