Remember when finding a razor blade in candy was every parent’s fear on Halloween? Sure, it’s possible, but pretty unlikely. Like many other fears, focusing on extreme cases causes parents to neglect other more likely dangers.
If your kids are dressing up and going door to door or heading to a trunk or treat, be careful not to get wrapped up in the fun of it all and forget some basic Halloween safety tips. Keeping these in mind will ensure that the only thing you have to be afraid of is your kiddo crashing from his sugar high.
Halloween Safety for Costumes
- Make sure costumes aren’t too long or too cumbersome. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 25% of injuries on Halloween are due to falls.
- Children should carry a flashlight or glow stick or have reflective strips on their costumes. Glow stick necklaces are a great idea because they let your kids’ hands stay on their overflowing pumpkin-shaped buckets.
- Costume masks should allow children to breathe easily, see without obstruction, and have good peripheral vision.
- The National Safety Council says, “When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled ‘Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,’ ‘Laboratory Tested,’ ‘Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,’ or ‘Non-Toxic.'”
- Halloween costumes can be highly flammable, so have children keep a safe distance from candles or other open flames. Remind kids to stop, drop, and roll instead of running if their costume catches fire.
- Any swords, guns, or weapons in a costume should NOT appear authentic. If in doubt, have your child leave it at home.
Halloween Safety for Trick or Treating
- Children should not eat any candy until a parent or guardian checks it. Razor blades are unlikely. What’s more likely is that your child doesn’t realize a particular candy contains an allergen. Or they have braces and shouldn’t be eating something sticky or chewy.
- If you teenagers are going to a party, ask for the parents’ names and numbers. If you have any reservations, encourage your child to invite friends over instead. Host a silly-scary movie night or a scavenger hunt. (We have a cute Halloween hunt or a Selfie Scavenger Hunt teens will love.)
- Have a plan for what to do if you get separated. One idea is to tell your kids to find a mom with a baby or toddler and ask to use her phone. Tell your kids never to enter someone’s home.
- A meltdown in the middle of the neighborhood is unsafe, so give clear expectations before you head out. You can either tell them they can visit a certain number of homes, or you can put a time limit on trick or treating.
- Tweens and teens may want to go out on their own for trick or treating. Have them tell you exactly where they’re going and who they’re with. Plan Halloween checkpoints—either by phone or in person.
- Parents walking door to door with kids shouldn’t be drinking alcohol. It’s a festive night, but there are too many cars on the road, driveways, and kids running around. You need to be on high alert.
- Tell your kids to always assume drivers cannot see them. Be defensive walkers!
Halloween Safety for Passing Out Candy
- Turn on your porch light so kids know you’re participating.
- Make sure your sidewalk and yard are clear. If you put up decorations, be careful they’re not tripping hazards.
- Know your pumpkin colors! A child walking with a teal pumpkin has food allergies, so if you have stickers or another toy set aside, be sure to hand those out too. A blue pumpkin indicates that the child has autism. If he doesn’t shout thank you or respond enthusiastically, give him a pass.
What would you add to our Halloween safety tips list?
