Halloween Safety: How to Be Safe with Your Family This Halloween Season.

Halloween Safety

Halloween is a time that children and adults love to go on. Costumes, candy, scary lights, it’s a fun holiday. But all the hype — and safety worries. Trick-or-treating, costume safety, candy inspection, it’s Halloween fun — and also safe.

1. Costume Safety: What to Wear When You’re Dressed Up Correctly.
Avoid Tripping Hazards
When choosing or constructing a costume, keep in mind that a long, flowing costume or one with hanging fabric can be slippery if slipped on especially in a dark place. Be sure costumes are cut to the right length.

Select Fire-Resistant Fabrics
Certain costumes or props, especially the ones with fluid material, are easily burned. Make sure to check for fire retardant labels on costumes, wigs and decorations to keep open flames (like candles in jack-o'-lanterns) as far away from you as possible.

Make Sure They Can See
You don’t want your child’s mask to get in their way if they have a mask in their costume. Or go for face paint, which is just as eerie and also more harmless to pass out as candy. And a final tip: Always test face paints on a small patch of skin before using the full-face version in case of allergic reactions.

2. Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips
Stick to Familiar Neighborhoods
Route: Keep your routes in lighted, neighborhood areas. Do not pass on houses that aren’t decorated and lit, as it can scream they aren’t celebrating Halloween.

Adult Supervision Is Key
You should never leave young children alone without a responsible adult. For older children, go in groups and treat-givers should all make plans to meet up if they become separated. Even adult / parent/guardian may watch out for risks and make it safe for small children to cross streets.

Cross Streets Safely
Remind children to cross only at pedestrian crosswalks and to glance back before walking up the sidewalk. If your child is in a black costume, give him/her a flashlight or reflective tape so drivers can see him/her.


Not all pets are kind to strangers — especially not in costume. Avoid house animals in public and don’t allow your children to be close to animals you haven’t met for fear of getting animal bitten or scared.

3. Road Safety for Halloween Night
Drive Extra Carefully
Nighttime drivers should be extra careful on Halloween night. Please do not leave children on the street in the middle of the road, they will get excited and forget to be safe. Be slow down especially when you’re walking in neighborhoods and watch out for kids in black masks.

Park Smart
If you’re taking your children trick-or-treating, park a bit further away from the busy areas where everyone is trick-or-treating. This lowers the possibility of parking collision, and facilitates pedestrian circulation.

4. Candy Safety: What to Check
Inspect Treats
So check every single one before anyone puts it down. Throw out anything wrapped and not-as-it-seems. Even if you don’t really mess with Halloween candy, take the high road.

Check for Allergens
For your kid with an allergy, check all of the labels on the candy so that you don’t accidentally expose him to dangerous ingredients. Refrain from eating candy with ingredients you don’t understand, until you are sure it’s safe.

Limit Candy Consumption
Kids love to celebrate their Halloween trove, but if you munch too much at once, you’ll get sick. Limit how much candy they can have in a single sitting, and tell them to save some for later.

5. Safe Halloween Decorations
Opt for Battery-Powered Candles
You don’t have to use candles in your jack-o'-lanterns: you can get the candles powered by batteries. Such solutions save fire risks, especially when the venue is crowded and costumes and decorations could touch an open flame.

Secure Your Decorations
If you’re painting the outside of your house, make sure it’s secured and won’t blow into the walkway, street or road. Also, do not put small decorations where little kids may be at risk of picking them up or putting them in their mouths.

6. Digital Safety for Teens
Share Your Location with Parents
If your teenager is out with friends, have them tell you where they are by a phone app. So that you know where they are, and they can find you when you need them.

Keep Phones Charged
Check that your teen’s phone is fully charged before leaving for the night. Ask them to look away from their phones while walking because you might trip and miss cars.


Use Hand Sanitizer
Hand wash: Take hand wash with you to wash your hands a few times a day and especially when you handle candy. It’s a cheap way to keep germs out of the fun.

Halloween is a wonderful season and if you can make it a little less dangerous than it looks, these are a few tips that will help you make the evening as safe as it can be. Costume, trick-or-treat, you name it, these safety rules will help make Halloween a safe day for kids, parents, and drivers.

References
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Halloween Safety Tips. Retrieved from aap.org.
National Safety Council. (2023). Halloween Safety Tips for Parents. Retrieved from nsc.org.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Halloween Safety Guidelines. Retrieved from cdc.gov.
Halloween safety means you are providing safety for everyone in your family so they don’t need to be scared. Be safe, and have a great spooky Halloween!