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Halloween Safety

During all Halloween events, it is important to put safety first. Halloween is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and following some basic safety tips can help everyone enjoy a fun Halloween.

Here are some helpful tips for trick-or-treating activities:

Costume safety

  • Choose costumes that are light-colored and more visible to motorists.
  • Use reflective tape to decorate costumes and candy bags to increase visibility of children to drivers. Reflective tape may be purchased at hardware, bicycle, or sporting goods stores.
  • Use make-up rather than a mask; if your child’s costume does include a mask, make sure it fits snugly and that the eyeholes are large enough to allow full vision.
  • Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
  • Costumes should be short enough that a child will not trip and fall.
  • Choose costume accessories such as swords or knives that are made of soft and flexible material.
  • Costumes should be made of flame-retardant material.
  • Do not use novelty contacts such as “cat eyes” or “snake eyes.”

Pedestrian safety

  • Engage in Halloween activities during the daylight hours, if possible.
  • Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
  • Remind children to walk, not run, and to only cross streets at crosswalks.
  • Be sure your children are accompanied by a responsible adult who has a flashlight. Flashlights or chemical light sticks should be used so that children can see and be seen by motorists.

Halloween home safety

  • Remove obstacles from your lawn, porch, or steps if you are expecting trick-or-treaters.
  • Make sure your front porch is well-lit.
  • Avoid using candle-lit jack-o-lanterns if possible. If you do use candles, don’t place them near curtains, furnishings, or decorations. Move them off porches where children’s costumes may ignite.
  • Keep your pets in another room when you are expecting trick-or-treaters.
  • Small children should not carve pumpkins; instead, allow them to draw the designs on the pumpkin and adults may carve.
  • Turn on an outside light if welcoming trick-or-treaters.

Treat safety

  • Instruct children to wait until they are home to eat any candy.
  • Check candy and novelty toys for potential choking hazards.
  • Make sure packaging doesn't have any tears or tampering.
  • Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

Motorists

  • Slow down, especially in residential areas.
  • Watch for children darting out from parked cars.
  • Use child safety seats or seat belts when driving children around, and have children get out of cars on the curb side, not facing traffic.

Additional links

Glossary

 
Last revised October 21, 2024