Best in Show or Halloween Hazard?
Costume Safety Tips for Kids
For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a wildcat, or their favorite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing the best Halloween costume. Look for fire-resistant costumes. Candles inside jack-o’-lanterns and other open flames are everywhere on Halloween night, so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes, wigs, and accessories. The same goes when you’re buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire-resistant is not the same as fireproof. While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause serious injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. Test makeup first. Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, which can obscure a Justin Valdez fell into physical therapy after his final undergraduate internship at a pediatrician’s office, and while it’s not the path he originally thought he would go down, seeing his clients succeed and push themselves further than before assures him he made the right choice. After that internship, his mentor at the pediatrician’s office encouraged him to pursue physical therapy. In 2012, Justin received a degree in exercise science from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and in 2016, he received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Texas at El Paso. Justin began his career at our clinic as a physical therapy tech, and after graduation, he became a physical therapist. In February 2019, Justin will celebrate two years with us. And in those two years, he’s gotten plenty of opportunities to see his work in action. “My favorite success stories are getting a young athlete back to the sport that they love or hearing from them that they had a good season,” Justin says. “... I like when they exceed their own expectations.”
child’s vision. However, a lot of costume makeup isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Before letting your child cover their
face in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the back of their hand first.
Practice prop safety. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material. And if your child wants to wear their Halloween costume to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble. Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.
A Physical Therapist Dedicated to Learning Meet Justin Valdez
The added emphasis on training for balance therapy and fall prevention that has come with our clinic’s recent transition to Fyzical has been motivating for Justin. That motivation and his wonderful coworkers have kept the native El Pasoan at Fyzical for the past two years. Justin is looking forward to extending his education and training with us here in El Paso as the center continues to expand its services. With these new training opportunities, Justin says he is hoping to find his niche and continue to hear success stories from his patients.
“I enjoy the new training and people telling me that they’re no longer falling — they’re now able to leave their house and can enjoy time at the park with their families,” says Justin. “That’s what I want to do, and I love it. And that’s what I love about the company.”
We love working with you, Justin! Keep up your great work.
2 • healthmasterspt.com
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