Halloween’s growing popularity in Australia has many people now using the occasion to dress up, go to themed parties, decorate their house and go trick or treating.
To stop hidden hazards from haunting your Halloween, follow our safety tips.
Check toys and novelties for button batteries
Check that Halloween novelties are age appropriate and don’t pose choking hazards.
Many Halloween items contain button batteries – e.g. toys, jack-o-lanterns, flameless candles, light up and flashing jewellery, headbands, clothing and novelty decorations. When buying light up or musical novelties powered by button batteries, check that the battery compartment is secured with a screw or similar fastener to prevent little ones gaining access to the battery.
In Australia one child a month is seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery, with some of them sustaining lifelong injuries. Within just two hours, tissue burns can lead to severe or fatal injuries.
Products that comply with mandatory standards will have secure battery compartments and warnings to notify consumers of the hazards posed by these batteries.
Be aware that low-cost, mass-produced Halloween items may be poorly made, so it’s more likely that button batteries may come loose if products are dropped or damaged.
If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for expert advice. If your child is having any difficulty breathing, ring 000.
See more tips about button battery safety in the video, Button batteries: know the risks.
Check ingredient labels
If you plan to use fake tattoos, face paint, makeup or fake blood, check that they come with ingredient labels, and keep them handy throughout the night.
If someone in your group has an allergic reaction to a product, having a list of ingredients available to show doctors can save vital time if they need urgent treatment.
Most reactions to cosmetic ingredients are mild, such as skin irritations and contact dermatitis, and can usually be managed with over-the-counter treatments or will improve once the product is no longer used. In rare instances, severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis may occur.
Avoid disappearing into the night
When designing or picking a costume make sure it is visible. If you or your children will be wearing black or other dark coloured costumes for Halloween, you could be hard to see in the dark.
To ensure drivers and other trick-or-treaters can see you, add glow sticks or a reflective strip to your costumes, and carry a torch.
Don't end your night in a flash of light and a puff of smoke
With so many ready-made costumes, wigs, masks, and accessories to choose from make sure you check their labels.
Pick items that are low fire risk and look for labels that state the product is ‘flame resistant’ or ‘fire resistant’. These items can still burn though, so take care to keep you and your little ones away from open heat sources - e.g. jack-o-lanterns, fireplaces, heaters and candles. Take extra care with products labelled ‘keep away from flame’ or ‘Warning! Keep away from fire’.
More safety tips
Read more tips on the Product Safety Australia website.
