13 Halloween Safety Tips for Kids Every Parent Should Know

Make sure your child’s costume isn’t too long or bulky, which can cause them to trip or get caught on objects. Hats and shoes should also fit properly. 

Avoid costumes with masks that can limit vision and increase the risk of a fall or other accident. Instead, use non-toxic face or makeup to create a finished look. 

Also avoid using decorative contact lenses unless they’ve been prescribed by an eye doctor. Improper use can lead to serious eye damage. 

Choose costumes in bright, fun colors whenever possible to help your child stand out in the dark. While dark costumes can be spooky and festive, they make it much harder for drivers to spot children crossing the street.  

If your child chooses a dark costume, you can still help them by adding reflective tape to the costume, treat bags or shoes. You can also use glow-in-the-dark stickers, wearable LED lights or fun accessories like bracelets and necklaces that light up to make sure they’re visible to drivers.

If your child is carrying a toy sword, wand, pitchfork or other prop, make sure it is clearly fake. Any points or sharp edges on the prop should be smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury.

Choose costumes labeled flame resistant or flame retardant. If you’re making a costume at home, use materials that don’t easily catch fire. 

Always accompany young children while they trick-or-treat. Teach them to stop only at homes with a porch light on or a well-lit pathway and never to go inside a home to accept treats. 

Place a slip of paper with your child’s name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case you get separated. 

If older children are going out with friends, agree on a specific return time and make sure they are not walking home alone. 

Make sure they carry a phone and know how to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Give them a flashlight or glow stick to help them stay visible after dark. 

Use sidewalks, stay in well-lit areas and cross at corners or designated crosswalks. Never cut between parked cars or out of driveways. Don’t assume the right of way either. 

Drivers should be extra careful between 5:30-9:30 p.m., when most trick-or-treaters are out. 

Eat only factory-wrapped candy. Inspect all candy for tampering or choking hazards before your child digs in. Tampering is rare but it can happen. 

Babies and toddlers should not be allowed to eat hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, small candies, gummy candy, pumpkin seeds or anything with whole nuts.

Avoid eating homemade treats unless it came from someone you trust. Throw out any spoiled or suspicious items.

Limit how many treats your child eats. This might be hard, but you have options. 

You can treat your child to a healthy meal before trick-or-treating to reduce their desire to snack on candy right away.

You can ration candy over the next several days and use this opportunity to teach moderation and healthy eating. 

Kids usually want to help when it comes to carving a pumpkin for Halloween. However, small children should never be allowed to use a sharp knife to cut anything. Instead, you can invite them to scoop out the pumpkin and draw a face on it that you can carve for them. Use paints, glitter and gems to decorate your pumpkin. 

Keep lit pumpkins away from the walkway or anything flammable, including costumes. Use flashlights, LED lights or glow sticks instead of real candles to light your pumpkin.  

Have a safe and happy Halloween!