Alabama Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians Shares Tips for a Safe, ER-Free Halloween

Jaron Raper, MD, FACEP, offers simple precautions to keep the focus on candy, not casualties

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – 10/22/2026– As families prepare for trick-or-treating, parties, and haunted houses, Jaron Raper, MD, FACEP, an emergency medicine physician and president of ALACEP, is urging the community to take a few easy precautions to keep Halloween fun and out of the emergency department.

“Every year, we see the same preventable injuries: falls, cuts, burns, allergic reactions, and pedestrian accidents,” said Dr. Raper. “None of us wants to spend Halloween night in the ER, and honestly, we’d rather you didn’t either. A few minutes of planning can make a big difference.”

Dr. Raper shared the following advice:

Choose costumes that fit and don’t block vision. Costumes that are too long are a common cause of trips and falls. Hemlines should clear the ground, and shoes should be comfortable and sturdy. Masks can limit peripheral vision, so consider non-toxic face paint instead, and test it on a small patch of skin a day or two ahead to check for allergic reactions.

Be seen. Halloween evenings are dark, and drivers are often distracted by crowds. “Add reflective tape to costumes and bags, and carry a flashlight or glow stick,” Dr. Raper said. “Walk on sidewalks, cross at corners, and never assume a driver sees you. Drivers should slow down and stay alert in residential areas.”

Skip the costume contact lenses. Decorative lenses sold without a prescription can cause serious eye injuries, including infections and corneal damage. “If you want the look, get lenses through an eye care professional,” Dr. Raper advised.

Carve smart. Pumpkin carving is one of the most common sources of hand injuries this time of year. Let children draw the design and leave the cutting to adults, work in a dry, well-lit space, and use a carving kit rather than a kitchen knife. Consider a battery-operated light in place of a candle.

Keep flames away from costumes. Choose flame-resistant costumes, keep decorations with open flames out of the path of trick-or-treaters, and keep sparklers and similar items away from small children.

Check the candy. Before children dig in, sort through their treats and discard anything unwrapped or opened. Remove hard candies and small items that pose a choking risk for young children, and read labels carefully if your child has a food allergy. “Make sure an epinephrine auto-injector is with them if they’ve been prescribed one,” Dr. Raper said.

Celebrate responsibly. For adults heading to parties, Dr. Raper urged planning a sober ride home. “Alcohol and dark roads are a dangerous combination,” he said. “Designate a driver or use a ride service.”

Know when to come in. Most Halloween mishaps are minor, but Dr. Raper encouraged families not to wait on warning signs. “Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, a head injury with confusion or vomiting, an eye injury, or a deep cut that won’t stop bleeding all need immediate care,” he said. “Call 911 or come straight in. We’re here all night, and we’d rather see you for something that turns out to be minor than miss something serious.”

“Halloween should be about the costumes, the candy, and the memories,” Dr. Raper added. “Have a wonderful night, stay safe, and if we see you, we hope it’s only because you stopped by to say hello.”