CHICAGO, Illinois (WAND) — The Illinois Poison Center (IPC) warns parents to be aware of health risks during this spooky season. The IPC said it expects to receive calls about candy, dry ice, glow sticks and Halloween makeup.
When it comes to candy safety, the IPC has the following tips:
- Examine your child’s candy after trick or treating.
- Discard any candy that has a torn package, punctured hole, or open wrapper.
- Discard expired items or anything that looks suspicious.
- Check the candy label to make sure your child is not allergic to any of the ingredients.
- Do not feed your child any homemade baked goods they may have received.
- For small children, remove choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candy, and small toys.
Dr. Michael Wahl, IPC’s medical director, said he expects about 100 calls about glow sticks in the coming weeks. He suggests parents remind their children not to chew on or break glow sticks or other glow-in-the-dark products. If any glow stick material gets into your eyes, or if you experience more than mild skin/oral irritation, call your IPC immediately for treatment recommendations. please ask
IPC also offers tips on using dry ice for Halloween.
- Always wear suitable gloves and other protective clothing when handling dry ice.
- Dry ice can cause burns similar to frostbite, so don’t put it directly into a punch bowl or drinking cup.
- If you suspect skin burns from dry ice, contact the IPC.
- Do not use dry ice in unventilated areas as it produces carbon dioxide gas. Always store in an insulated container, not in the freezer.
Call IPC’s toll-free and confidential 24-hour helpline at 1-800-222-1222 to speak with specially trained doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
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