Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is the day of the year for spooky fun, but safety should always be a top priority. Here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe while trick-or-treating:

Halloween costume safety tips

• Ensure a costume fits properly: A loose costume can cause a child to trip and fall or restrict movement. Long capes or flowing dresses can be a tripping hazard. Opt for costumes that allow for ease of movement.
• Shine bright: Choose light-colored costumes or add reflective tape. Glow sticks or flashlights are fantastic for increased visibility, especially during dusk or nighttime trick-or-treating.
• Clear vision is key: Face paint allows for better peripheral vision compared to masks that can obstruct sight. If wearing a mask is necessary, make sure it has proper eyeholes for clear vision.
• Safety first: Avoid costumes with sharp objects or excessive dangling accessories that could snag or poke.
• Ditch the decorative contacts: These can cause serious eye injuries unless prescribed and worn correctly.

Trick-or-treating safety for kids

• Adult ally: Young children should never venture out alone. Parents or a trusted adult should always supervise trick-or-treating outings.
• Plan the path: For older kids venturing out with friends, map a safe route beforehand. Stick to well-lit streets and inform adults of the planned route.
• Sidewalk safety: Always walk on sidewalks or designated paths. Avoid cutting through yards or alleys with limited visibility.
• Lighten up the night: Only visit houses with their porch lights on as a welcoming sign to trick-or-treaters.
• Trick-or-treat manners: A simple "Thank you!" goes a long way. Teach children to be polite and respectful while receiving treats.
• Allergy alert: Avoid letting kids with food allergies eat treats until you've checked the ingredients. Look for teal pumpkins outside homes (The Teal Pumpkin Project), which signal they offer allergy-friendly Halloween treats.
• Stranger danger reminders: Reinforce the importance of never entering a stranger's home or car.
• No texting and walking: Devices down, heads up.
• Cross streets cautiously: No midblock darting. Always cross streets at designated crosswalks and come to a complete stop before looking left, right, left and over your shoulder.
• Watch for cars: Be aware of cars backing out of driveways.

On average children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Halloween candy safety

• Inspect before you eat: Throw away any candy with torn or open packages, signs of spoilage or homemade treats from unknown sources.
• Parental guidance: Depending on your child's age, limit consumption of hard candy or gum that could pose a choking hazard.

Bonus safety tips

• Watchful eye on pets: Advise children to avoid approaching unfamiliar pets.
• Light up your jack-o'-lantern safely: Consider using glow sticks instead of candles to illuminate your jack-o'-lantern.
• Communication is key: For older children venturing out with friends, ensure they have a cell phone to contact parents if needed.

By following these tips and having open conversations about safety, you can create a memorable and safe Halloween experience for your children.

Have any questions? The Banner Children's Injury Prevention Program can help! Call them at (480) 412-3306.