No Tricks, Just Tips to Have a Safe Halloween

All Dressed Up

• Find bright and reflective costumes and use reflective tape on trick-or-treat bags.
• Ensure hats and shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping or contact with a flame.
• If a sword, cane or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or long.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for flame-resistant labels.
• Masks can limit or block eyesight. Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Test non-toxic makeup on a small part of a child’s skin beforehand to avoid allergic reactions.
• Do not use decorative contact lenses unless prescribed by an ophthalmologist after an eye exam.

On the Trick-or-Treat Trail

• Always accompany young children as they trick-or-treat.
• Take flashlights with new batteries for your children, friends and other chaperones.
• Remind Trick-or-Treaters:
  • Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
  • Carry a cell phone.
  • Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
  • If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
  • Always cross as a group and in a designated crosswalk, if available. Avoid darting behind parked cars or in alleyways.
  • Never enter a stranger’s home or car.
  • Talk with your child about calling 911 if they get lost or are in an unsafe situation.
  • Never pet a dog without asking the owner for permission.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Talk to your teenager about distracted driving on Halloween and consider having them sign this Parent-Teen Driving Agreement.
• Discuss distracted walking with your children, who might need to pay more attention while texting, talking or listening to music.

Healthy Halloween

• A good meal before parties and trick-or-treating will discourage children from filling up on Halloween treats.
• For children with food allergies, Halloween can be tricky. Consider buying non-food treats for trick-or-treaters, such as coloring books, pens and pencils, glow sticks, stickers, etc. More information is available from the Food Allergy Research & Education’s Teal Pumpkin Project.
• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Closely examine all treats and throw away anything spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious, as well as candy and items that could be choking hazards for young children.
• Try to ration candy for the days and weeks following Halloween.