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It’s More Than Just Contaminated Candy
NJ Poison Control Center Shares Halloween Safety Tips
 
(New Jersey) –  Halloween is a time filled with exciting and fun activities, but it’s also a busy time for families and the healthcare professionals at the NJ Poison Control Center.  With everyone scrambling to prepare for school parades and trick-or-treating, it’s hard to pay close attention to everything that’s happening at home.  Accidental poisoning mishaps are common and can happen to anyone including pets.  Poisoning mishaps often happen at home and involve potential poisons hiding in plain sight.
 
“Although mishaps occur all the time, trick-or-treaters and their families are at increased risk of accidental poisoning related to Halloween celebrations and activities,” says Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Department of Emergency Medicine.
 
“Potential poisoning risks go beyond the fear of tampered candy,” says Calello.  “Our medical professionals get calls throughout the night about many things – from glow sticks to allergic reactions; belly aches to marijuana edibles; and chemical burns to alcohol poisoning.”
 
If planning parties, make sure children and pets don’t get into alcoholic beverages.  The amount of alcohol in beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails/punches affects children and pets differently than it affects adults.  Even swallowing a small amount of alcohol can cause serious health problems and death.
 
Teens and adults often overindulge without realizing they have consumed too much alcohol.  A person who appears to be very drunk or has passed out may be showing early signs of alcohol poisoning and be in real danger.  Immediate medical help is essential.  “Sleeping it off” is never a safe option.  It’s important to know the critical signs of alcohol poisoning.
 
Pets are not only at risk of alcohol poisoning, they’re also at risk of poisoning from candies, chocolates, and other Halloween-related items.  Chocolate, cocoa, candy, and anything sugarless can be poisonous to pets.  Artificial sweeteners like xylitol can cause severe illness if pets eat products containing this ingredient. Keep dangerous products up high and out of sight and reach of pets.  If any of these items are swallowed, get help fast.
 
It’s important to remember to plan safer ways to celebrate Halloween this year.  “Don’t just make it a poison safe Halloween, make it a COVID and flu safe Halloween too,” says Calello.  “Avoid crowded events and large groups with people from different households, keep celebrations outside as much as possible, wear a mask, keep windows open if traveling in cars as a group, and use hand-sanitizer to disinfect hands while out celebrating.”
 
Additional safety tips for a safe and healthy Halloween.

• Go only to homes of people you know.
• Avoid homemade treats - there is always a risk of food poisoning.
• Teach your child that medicine is not candy. Lock up all medications to prevent an accidental poisoning.
• Use non-toxic makeup to paint faces and body parts. Test on a small area of skin to be sure it will not cause an allergic reaction.
• Dry ice can cause severe burns and frostbite if it touches the skin or is swallowed. Use gloves to protect your skin.

 
Poison control centers are a great resource in the event of an emergency and also for questions and information. 
 
New Jersey residents:  Call 1-800-222-1222 or Chat here
 
If someone is not breathing, hard to wake up, or having a seizure, call 9-1-1.
 
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