Halloween Safety: More than Just Looking Both Ways

Tips to make sure your children are safe while Trick or Treating!

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Oct 28, 2010, 01:20 ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- With Halloween right around the corner it is important for every parent to know what dangers are present and how to keep their kids safe. Several organizations have established different safety tips this Halloween season and Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld is focusing on the importance of vision safety when selecting the perfect costume.

Vision safety includes being able to see and be seen by others as well as ensuring that no part of your child's Halloween costume could potentially harm their vision in the future. Parents should avoid allowing children to wear masks as they not only impair eyesight but also potentially cause cuts or abrasions. Instead opt for non-toxic face paint and hats.

Also, be wary of non-prescribed Halloween themed contact lenses as they are not created for a specific curvature of the eye and can cause serious harm. If you or your child wishes to use these this Halloween you can get prescribed lenses, even with 20/20 vision.

"Halloween is a time to dress up and have fun, but it is important to take the proper precautions before going Trick-or-Treating," said Dr. Mark Lynn, an optometrist who owns and oversees 15 Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld locations in Kentucky and Indiana. "No parent wants their child's Halloween costume choice to cause a vision impairment."

Along with vision safety, there are several general safety tips to remember like these recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

S Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
A Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
F Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
E Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

H Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
A Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
L Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
L Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
O Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
W Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
E Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
E Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
N Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

About Dr. Mark Lynn and Associates PLLC

Dr. Mark Lynn & Associates owns and/or operate more than 45 Dr. Bizer's Vision World, Doctor's VisionWorks and Doctor's ValuVision offices in Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee and Indiana. Offering high-quality designer and exclusive brand frames, lenses, contact lenses, accessories, sunglasses and the leading technology in vision correction at competitive prices. In addition, nearly all our stores provide one-hour service on most prescriptions by utilizing on-site processing laboratories. For more information visit, www.drbizersvisionworld.com or www.drbizersvaluvision.com.