Halloween Health Tips: How to Trick or Treat Comfortably with Chronic Pain

The spookiest night of the year is less than a week away! Halloween's a wonderful holiday, but any dark night has its dangers. Here at Mountainside Medical Equipment, we're very familiar with some of the biggest concerns this Halloween, such as falls and chronic pain. Submitted for your approval, here are our tips on how to keep yourself and your children safe from injury and sickness while trick-or-treating comfortably!

Trick-or Treating with Pain

Many of you parents reading this have pain that makes walking around the neighborhood an unpleasant prospect, and many of you with chronic pain are going to take your children out trick-or-treating despite it. Here are some tips that will keep you from doing your best zombie impression on the walk home:

• Stretch! This may be for the parents, but it's never a bad idea for kids to get into this habit. Before you go out, a few minutes of stretching can boost our mobility and make all the difference in your night.
• Wear comfortable shoes: this is an easy way to reduce leg and back pain after pounding the pavement for hours.
• Routine chiropractic care: if you suffer from regular back pain, consider scheduling a chiropractic appointment beforehand. A good chiropractor can help you restore function and reduce pain.

Fall Safety while Trick-or-Treating

This applies to both kids and adults: Halloween is bound to be hectic, and when you're in a rush, accidents can happen. We at Mountain Ice know all about the long-term effects that a falling injury can have, and we want to help you avoid that:

• Carry a light source: Whether it's a flashlight, glowsticks, or even your phone's flashlight feature in a pinch. You want to avoid obstacles in your path, prevent trips, and also make yourself more visible to drivers.
• Stay on the sidewalk: Halloween's one of the best nights of the year for kids. It can be tempting to rush across streets, through alleys, and across yards. Stick to the sidewalk and be sure to just walk, not run. If no sidewalk is available, stay on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
• Cross the street safely: Always cross in designated crosswalks and obey traffic signals. Look both ways and stay alert when crossing.
• Plan a route: Knowing your route beforehand and sticking to familiar areas will prevent you from getting lost and help you and your child prepare for the practical: knowing the road crossings, what streets are well-lit, and what authorities might be available nearby in an emergency.
• Plan ahead: Talk to your child about what to do in case of an emergency. Set a time to be home. Designate meetup spots in case of separation, such as the home of a family member or trusted neighbor, or a police or fire station.
• Carry what you need: A first-aid kit or supplies are always valuable. If your child has asthma, don't forget their inhaler. A phone is useful in case of emergency (just don't let it distract you). If a fall happens, you'll be ready.

Preparing Your House for Halloween

Even if you're practicing one-way trick-or-treating this year or just not handing out candy at all, it's important to safeguard your property to help prevent injuries to roving kids and harried mothers and fathers. Just some simple changes can help you protect the safety of your neighbors!

• Clear your paths: Make sure your sidewalks, pathways, steps, porches, and driveways are clear of debris, and that your decorations are firmly secured.
• Mummy wrap it: use caution tape to wrap any hazards that can't be fixed or block off any potentially dangerous areas on your property.
• Leave a light on! Darkness is wonderfully spooky, but no one wants to get hurt. Light your porch, yard, and walkways thoroughly.
• Practice pumpkin safety: Consider lighting your pumpkins with a glowstick or flashlight, or at least a votive candle. Keep candlelit pumpkins on a stable surface like a table, away from flammable objects like curtains, and never unattended.

Visit Mountainside Medical Equipment for the Best Bone and Joint Health Products

Ensuring you're at your healthiest involves many different aspects of health: the right diet and nutrients, adequate rest, regular exercise, and the right medications to manage ongoing conditions. Luckily Mountainside Medical Equipment has you covered! We've got everything to get you active and help you stay healthy. Click this link to visit our bone and joint health products!