Costume Cautions:
Choosing bright colors makes your child more visible in the dark or add reflective tape or stickers to their costume.
Any store-bought costumes and accessories (masks, beards, wigs) should be labeled “flame resistant.”
Avoid oversized clothing that makes it hard to walk and can come in contact with open flames from a jack-o-lantern.
Make sure your child wears comfortable and appropriate footwear.
Avoid prop guns as they may cause panic in a public setting.
Make a plan:
Children 12 and under, should be accompanied by a responsible chaperone 14 years of age or older while trick-or-treating.
Costumes should be labeled with the parent/guardian's name, address, and phone number in case the parent/guardian and child are separated.
If possible, make sure your child has a way to reach you via cell phone.
Establish a pre-planned route.
Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep their heads up, and walk, don’t run, across the street.
While trick-or-treating:
Give your child a flashlight with fresh batteries.
Tell your child to go only to homes with outside lights on.
Practice Street Safety:
Remind children of everyday safety tips like looking left, right, and left again before crossing the street, and waiting for you at street corners before proceeding.
Children should stay on sidewalks at all times. Cutting through people’s yards can lead to accidents when things like clotheslines and other hazards are hard to spot.
Safety Tips for Motorists:
Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
Watch for children in dark clothing.
Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.
Before Eating Treats:
If your child has food allergies, check candy labels carefully. Even hard candies may be manufactured in facilities that process nuts, milk, soy, wheat, egg, or other allergens.
Children under the age of four shouldn’t have gum, peanuts, popcorn, or hard candy — all are choking hazards.
Have your child wait until you’ve inspected treats before eating.
Don’t let your child snack while trick-or-treating.
Discard anything that’s not sealed, has torn packaging, or looks questionable.
Planning to hand out treats? Follow these tips:
Clean up. Put away anything trick-or-treaters could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations. Clear wet leaves, snow, or other debris from the sidewalk.
Turn the lights on. Replace any burned-out bulbs to ensure good visibility at the walkway and front door.
Practice Good Pet Safety. Keep candy away from pets. Chocolate, in all forms, is poisonous to cats and dogs. Pets might be frightened and chase or bite a child at your door, so make sure your pets are kept safely indoors.
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