Whether you plan on trick-or-treating, passing out candy or small gifts or even just driving to check out outdoor seasonal displays, consider these Halloween safety tips and make your holiday less scary.
Trick-or-Treating
- Consider adding reflective tape to your child’s costume or candy bag for greater visibility for motorists.
- Size your child’s costume correctly, so they don’t have tripping hazards. Don’t forget a jacket if it becomes too cold, rains or snows.
- Leave unnecessary accessories and props at home or in the car, so they don’t become lost or hard to carry. All props should be soft and small enough to avoid causing harm.
- Opt for nontoxic makeup over masks, which can be difficult to see and breathe through.
- Test makeup on a small section of the skin to see if any irritation occurs and remove all makeup before bed to avoid skin irritation.
- Take small flashlights or glow sticks for better visibility when walking.
- Walk on sidewalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Instruct kids to look and listen for cars and use pedestrian signals before crossing the street at corners or designated crosswalks.
- Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Remind children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
- Leave e-bikes, e-motos and e-scooters at home.
- Lead by example and don’t be distracted by your phone or other electronic devices, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Don’t forget to say thanks for the treats.
- Don’t allow trick-or-treaters to enter strangers’ homes, even doorways.
- If preteens or teens are going without an adult, remind them to travel in well-lit areas, carry their phones, stay with friends and respect their curfews.
- Examine all treats before eating or playing with them. Make sure the packaging hasn’t been damaged or tampered with. Look up allergens and ingredients for candies your child hasn’t eaten before.
Passing Out Candy or Trinkets
- If you’re offering allergen-free candy or small gifts, let trick-or-treaters know by setting out a teal pumpkin.
- Create an accessible and inclusive experience for all trick-or-treaters. You may receive some with disabilities or neurodivergence.
- Remove all decorations that could be dangerous to trick-or-treaters, including those that pose tripping hazards.
- Make sure all pets stay inside and don’t let children approach them. Some dogs or cats may become frightened or aggressive with strangers or people in costumes.
- Use battery-operated candles or jack-o’-lanterns when possible.
Driving
- Be on high alert for trick-or-treaters, cyclists and pedestrians.
- Limit distractions, like music and hands-free calling. Slow down and scan roadways, medians and curbs. Children may dart into the street unexpectedly.
- Look for children who might be hiding between parked cars, behind bushes, around corners or in shadows.
- Turn on your headlights earlier to make yourself more visible and to better see people farther away.
- If you see an impaired driver, call 911.
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