How to keep safe this Halloween

To help ensure you enjoy the Halloween festivities safely, be safe and avoid any preventable healthcare scares by following the safety advice below. 

1. Check the label 

Many Halloween costumes are highly flammable. Before purchasing, check costume labels for UKCA or CE marks and avoid open flames.  

2. Carve your pumpkin with care 

If you’re getting creative with your pumpkin carving, take extra care to avoid unnecessary injuries. Carve your pumpkins in good lighting, use the correct tools and don’t leave anything sharp lying around. Always leave the carving to adults – your little helpers can support with drawing and pumpkin scooping. 

3. Look out for your eye health 

Are you upgrading your outfit with some creepy contact lenses? Look out for the CE mark on packaging to ensure your contacts are meeting protection standards. Don’t share your lenses with anyone else, avoid wearing them for extended periods of time and ensure you remove them before going to sleep. 

4. Treat minor illnesses at home for children 
You can treat your child at home if they have a minor illness or ailment such as a sore throat or cough, bumps or bruises. 

If you have a fun-filled Halloween planned, be prepared with essential medicines such as age appropriate paracetamol and ibuprofen, plasters and a thermometer. 
 
Don’t get spooked into attending the Emergency Unit unnecessarily this Halloween. 
 
At Halloween, our Emergency Unit sees an increase in non-urgent cases that could be treated elsewhere within the community. Please choose services appropriately and help us ensure care is available for those who really need it. 

Please remember to only attend the Emergency Unit if you have a life-threatening illness/serious injury, which can include: 

• Unconsciousness 

• Difficulty in breathing 

• Suspected heart attack 

• Serious injury or heavy blood loss 

• Sudden weakness or speech problems 
 
If you are unsure of your symptoms, or what medical advice you need, the NHS 111 Wales website can help with advice, guidance, directory of services and a symptom checker. 
 
If your condition is urgent, but not life-threatening, you can call 111 to access out-of-hours and the Minor Injuries Unit at Barry Hospital. 
 
You can help ensure that care is available for those who urgently need it by only attending the unit in an emergency.