Have a safe and spooky Halloween with safety tips from Illinois Poison Center

With children across Illinois set to hit the streets for trick-or-treating, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is urging parents and guardians to be cautious about Halloween products like dry ice and cosmetics that could prove dangerous if used improperly.

"Each year we receive numerous calls about Halloween-related substances like candy, glow sticks and more," said Dr. Carol DesLauriers, IPC operations director. "It is extremely important that parents know of the possible dangers surrounding the holiday in order to prevent potentially harmful exposures."

The IPC experts offer the following tips to avoid exposures:

Candy and treats:

• Remind children to only eat treats that are in their original, unopened wrappers.

• Inspect all treats for choking hazards.

Celebrations:

• Keep alcohol away from children. Make sure opened containers, unfinished beverages and all other items containing alcohol are out of reach.

• Handle dry ice properly. Oral/skin exposure or ingestion of dry ice can cause significant damage.

• Make sure to wear protective clothing such as appropriate gloves when handling dry ice.

• Do not place dry ice directly in punch bowl or drinking cups; direct contact with dry ice may cause burns.

• Skin burns from dry ice should be handled in the same manner as skin burns from heat. If blisters start to appear, you should contact your doctor.

• Dry ice should be stored in an insulated container; do not store it in the freezer or in an unventilated room or area.

Costumes and accessories:

• Make certain masks fit properly and have large eyeholes so the trick-or-treaters can see and breathe easily. Raise mask when crossing the street.

• Remind children not to chew on or break open glow sticks or any other glow in the dark products.

• Test makeup on a small area of skin first (preferably the arm) to check for sensitivity to any ingredients before applying it to the face.

• Remove makeup before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.

• Avoid the eye area when applying makeup to the face.

• Avoid decorating the face or body with products that aren't intended for the skin.

• Throw out any makeup that has a very bad smell; this could be a sign of contamination.

For more Halloween safety information, visit the IPC resource library at illinoispoisoncenter.org/halloween.

IPC experts are available to provide information and treatment advice 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, including holidays. If you have a question, or if someone you know has been exposed to a potentially harmful substance, please call the IPC at (800) 222-1222.

The Illinois Poison Center is a nonprofit health service that provides the people of Illinois with comprehensive and trusted information and treatment advice on potentially harmful substances via a free, confidential 24-hour helpline staffed by specially trained physicians, nurses and pharmacists.