Tips for a safe and healthy Halloween

Halloween is fast approaching, and it’s a fun and festive time of year for many families. However, Halloween comes with some child safety risks that are important for parents and caregivers to be aware of to ensure a safe celebration. For COVID-19 specific considerations, please read the following blog post, "Celebrating Halloween without the COVID-19 fright." 

Choose safe costumes

• It is important that costumes fit properly. Costumes should be large enough to allow warm clothes underneath, but short enough to prevent tripping.
  
  
• When selecting accessories, choose soft and flexible ones, and consider if the accessory will be a tripping hazard.
  
  
• For little superheroes, capes should fasten with Velcro® that easily pulls apart. Capes and other costume pieces should never be tied around a child’s neck. It is important that younger children know the difference between what people do on television or movies and what they can do in real life.

Walk safely – be safe and be seen

• Visibility is key. In fact, children are twice as likely to get hit by a car on Halloween as any other day of the year. Flashlights, glow tape and glow sticks can be built right into kids’ costume to ensure they are highly visible in the dark.
  
  
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without an adult. Remind children that are mature enough to be out without supervision to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  
  
• With the excitement that Halloween brings, it’s especially important to remind everyone to use safe pedestrian skills: Use sidewalks or paths; cross at corners using traffic signals and crosswalk; look left, right and left when crossing; and watch for cars turning or backing up.
  
  
• If you are out driving, be alert and slow down! 

Pick treats wisely

• After trick-or-treating, an adult should check all candy. Unwrapped candy should not be eaten.
  
  
• Hard candy is a choking hazard for children 5 years of age or younger.
  
  
• Food allergies are serious. It is important to consider children with food allergies, and to offer treats that are nut free.
  
  
• Offer a healthier alternative to candy. Give trick or treaters age-appropriate, non-food treats like temporary tattoos or stickers instead.

Decorate with care

• Keep outdoor lights on, and make sure paths are well-lit.
  
  
• Remove tripping hazards from your porch or walkway before greeting trick or treaters.
  
  
• Illuminate carved pumpkins and Halloween decorations with battery operated candles, flashlights or glow sticks rather than lit candles to prevent fire.

With these tips, families can enjoy Halloween safely. If you have a question about the health of your child, call your child’s pediatrician. For more Halloween safety tips, check out this tip sheet from the Children's Wisconsin Safety Center. 

Ashley Tracy Program Manager Children's Wisconsin Safety Center

Children’s Wisconsin has more than 20 primary care offices conveniently located throughout the Milwaukee area and southeast Wisconsin. Find a pediatrician near you.