Halloween is right around the corner and for MSU students, severe health problems can occur when not taking the proper precautions.
Known to be one of the most festive holidays of the year, Halloween is celebrated outside. With children trick-or-treating door to door and adults attending costume parties or haunted houses, it’s a time where people can dress up and have fun.
This year, Halloween lands on a Friday, and a weather forcast of a cold, rainy day is expected. Marketing and Communications Manager for Olin Health Center Kathi Braunlich said dressing according to the weather is key for preventing illness.
“Ideally, if you are going to be outside for any length of time, you should have skin covered up, wear gloves, and keep the rain and ice off of you with something hooded and waterproof,” Braunlich said. “And wear shoes that will provide traction on wet, slippery leaves or ice.”
Although cold weather does not cause illness, Braunlich said it is still important to dress appropriately for the weather. Braunlich mentioned how generally students get ill by others spreading the virus.
“With cold weather you generally have a lot more people gathered inside which makes it easier to pass viruses around,” Braunlich said. “If someone gets soaking wet in the cold rain on the way to a party and then is crammed into a room with a lot of other people, they might get sick but it wasn’t the rain or cold — they came in contact with a virus.”
For interior design freshman Yingtong Zhou, celebrating Halloween will be exciting as it will be her first year experiencing it.
“I might join a party with my residents,” Zhou said. “It is my first year celebrating Halloween so I want to see what it is all about.”
When addressing weather circumstances, Zhou said she’s prepared for the chilly day this Friday.
“I might attend a meeting that will teach us how to dress well,” Zhou said. “It’s really cold here and I don’t want to get sick.”
According to Braunlich, there are plenty of ways to avoid getting sick.
“The best ways to prevent illness are to get a flu shot each fall,” Braunlich said. “Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer — especially before eating or after touching stair rails, elevator buttons, door knobs or other places sick people put their hands, and the third thing is to distance yourself from people who are sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose. They might think it is allergies, but you don’t want to take a chance.”
Staying safe also plays a large matter when going out for Halloween.
“I might go to a party for Halloween this year,” said interior design freshman Xin Zhang. “Of course, I won’t be going home too late because I think sometimes it’s not safe.”
MSU students can follow simple measures in order to stay safe.
“The bigger dangers for students out late on Halloween are making sure they are visible to drivers, and that they take measures to protect themselves,” Braunlich said. “The other thing is to make sure you protect yourself — stay with friends, practice good habits when drinking alcohol (like keeping track of your drinks, eating before drinking, have a glass of water after each drink, etc.), and trust your gut instincts.”
