If you are suddenly seeing 12-foot-tall skeletons everywhere, it can only mean one thing: it’s time for Halloween! Now’s the time to carve up some pumpkins, put on a costume, and head out into the night for some spooky fun!
As you embrace the Halloween spirit, the National Safety Council encourages you to take a moment to plan for safety by naming October Halloween Safety Month! While you consider
Halloween safety this month, be sure to plan how to keep your eyes safe this Halloween. Keep reading to learn some of the best ways to keep your eyes safe this Halloween!
Opt For Makeup Instead of Masks
Even when worn correctly, masks can block your range of vision. Makeup is a better way to complete a Halloween look without obscuring vision.
However, you should choose and apply your makeup with care. Makeup sold specifically for dressing up can contain certain ingredients, like fragrances and metallic pigments, that can irritate your eyes.
You should also avoid using makeup with glitter, especially on children. The tiny particles in glitter can easily get into the eyes and have the potential to scratch the cornea.
Accessorize Your Costume Wisely
Hats, scarves, and wigs are prominent parts of many Halloween costumes, but they can become safety hazards if they block your vision. Secure costume accessories with pins or tie them back to prevent them from slipping over your eyes.
Eyepatches are a fun part of being a pirate, but can affect depth perception. Consider wearing an eyepatch only when taking pictures or standing in place.
Avoid Costume Contact Lenses
Wearing non-prescription costume contact lenses can put you at risk of eye infection and injury. Costume contact lenses have been known to cause bacterial infections, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcerations, and other conditions that have the potential to lead to vision loss.
If you do end up wearing costume contact lenses, don’t share yours with anyone, and don’t wear someone else’s lenses. Sharing lenses puts you at an even higher risk for eye injury or infection.
You should consider purchasing a pair of prescription costume contact lenses. Many different looks are available, and you can be sure they are made of the same sterile materials as your regular contact lenses.
Watch Children With Pointy Costume Props
Pirates, fairies, superheroes, and other costumes often come with swords, wands, and spears with pointy ends that are easy to accidentally poke in someone’s eye. Often, these props are made of hard plastic and have the potential to cause serious eye damage.
Halloween costume props made of soft, foam-like material are a safer alternative. They can complete a costume and reduce the risk of accidental eye injuries.
Light Up Your Halloween Night
Dusk can be one of the most challenging times to see clearly as your eyes adjust from day to night. You can easily sustain an eye injury if you trip and fall over something you didn’t see.
Bringing along a flashlight can prevent mishaps when out in your neighborhood. It can also provide much-needed light in the patches of darkness between houses.
Lowlight conditions can also make it hard for even the most careful drivers to see you clearly. Wearing reflective clothing or temporary reflective patches makes you more visible to drivers in all light conditions.
Halloween night comes, but once a year! Make the most of your night by planning for safety, including the safety of your eyes!
Do you want to learn more about Halloween eye safety? Schedule an appointment at Shepherd Eye Center at one of our 5 locations in Las Vegas or Henderson, NV, today!
