For most children, Halloween is their second favorite holiday, trumped only by Christmas. Unfortunately, hospital staffs know accidents can happen. In order to ensure your trick-or-treaters stay safe while celebrating Halloween this year, Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua, HI, has a few tips to keep in mind.

Here are five tips for a fun, safe Halloween:

• Use Reflective Gear: Add reflective strips to your children’s costumes and give them headlamps to wear or glow sticks to carry so passing motorists see them. You should also make sure their shoes fit well and that their costumes do not have any materials that could cause tripping or entanglement.
• Skip The Masks: Masks can severely limit peripheral vision, and wearing one while crossing the street is especially dangerous. Consider non-toxic makeup and hats that fit properly without slipping down over the eyes.
• Buy Flame-Resistant Clothing: Some homes have candles with open flames as part of their Halloween decorations. When shopping for costumes, hats, and wigs, read the labels closely and make sure they are made of  flame-resistant material.
• Practice Calling 911: Your children should always have a way to contact you if you ever get separated. You should also show them how to call 911 if there is an emergency or they are lost.
• Remove Tripping Hazards: To keep your lawn or porch safe for other trick-or-treaters, remove tripping hazards that are not clearly marked, including garden hoses, lawn decorations, toys, and bikes.

Going trick-or-treating is a lot of fun, but it also brings safety risks. Keep a close eye on your children, and if anything does happen, know that you can rely on the emergency physician services at Kona Community Hospital. Check out their Facebook page to learn more about their community presence, and visit their website to read up on the health care and services this local hospital provides.