Each year poison centers from around the country manage numerous exposure cases involving Halloween-related materials, such as glow sticks, special cosmetics and candy. The New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center is sharing simple precautions that people can take to help avoid poisonous exposures, and ensure that everyone has a fun, safe holiday.
Remember these tricks:
- Inspect all candy. Look for signs of tampering: tears, pinholes, discoloration, etc. Check all candy for choking hazards.
- Do not chew on or break open glow sticks, or any other glow-in-the-dark products.
- Handle dry ice properly and carefully. Oral and skin exposure, or indigestion of dry ice, can cause significant damage. Do not store dry ice in the freezer or an unventilated area.
- With cosmetics, test face makeup in a small area of the skin first, preferably on the arm, to check for an allergic reaction before applying it to the face. Avoid decorating the face or body with products that are not intended for the skin. Additionally, throw out any makeup that has a very bad smell; this could be a sign of contamination.
If you have any questions, or if you or someone you know has been exposed to a potentially harmful substance, call the Poison Help number immediately 1-800-222-1222.