BEWARE! Or Be Aware of these Halloween safety tips

Keep kids safe this Halloween by avoiding the most common injuries that bring little ones to the emergency departments: falls, burns from flammable costumes, injuries from collisions with vehicles and eye injuries from sharp objects. Follow the tips below for a Halloween of all treats - no tricks!

See and be seen

• Trick-or-treat in well-lit familiar areas with sidewalks.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends all children 12 and younger be accompanied by an adult while walking door-to-door.
• Masks impair vision. Consider using a properly fitted hat with nontoxic makeup as an alternative.
• Use flashlights, headlamps, costumes with reflective tape and reflective bracelets to ensure visibility to drivers.
• Always look both ways before crossing a street, alleyway or driveway.
• Consider trick-or-treating in a group and before dark.
• Never enter a home or care for a treat. Only visit homes with a porch light on.
• Cross streets at corners, using crosswalks. Avoid darting between or behind parked cars.

Safe spooking

• Select soft, flexible props whenever possible. Avoid sharp objects.
• Never allow small children to carve pumpkins. Consider drawing on pumpkins with markers or using festive stickers as a fun alternative.
• Ensure costumes and shoes fit comfortably to avoid a tripping hazard.
• Choose flame-resistant fabrics, wigs and accessories. Candles and jack-o-lanterns on porches and walkways can ignite flammable costumes.
• Sort and inspect candy. Some may cause an allergic reaction due to certain ingredients or pose choking hazards for young children. Discard any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.
  • Pro tip: If your child has food allergies, keep an eye out for houses with teal pumpkins! This means the house will have non-food treats (think glow sticks, small toys, stickers) that are safe for all trick-or-treaters.

Tips for older trick or treaters

• Plan and review an approved route prior to departure.
• Agree on a specific time for them to return home.
• Have them carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Review how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.