Halloween Safety

In order to enjoy a safe Halloween with your children, make sure to observe the following tips and you'll have not tricks, only treats!

  • Halloween costumes should be flame-retardant and highly/visible or reflective--cars should be able to see your kids!
  • Costumes should not be too long--prevent accidental trips and falls before these happen!
  • Make sure hats and masks fit securely and don't block one's breathing or vision
  • Costume make-up/face paint should be non-toxic and hypo-allergenic
  • Costume accessories--crowns, swords, etc.--should be made of flexible materials and without sharp edges
  • A parent or adult should always accompany and supervise young children during Halloween activities
  • Always carry a flashlight with new batteries; carry a fully-charged cell phone in case of emergency
  • Keep children at your side when walking and crossing streets; obey all traffic signals and rules of the road
  • Remain on sidewalks; look both ways before crossing the street and don't cross the street between parked cars
  • When driving on Halloween, be cautious and alert; proceed slowly and watch out for small children
  • Always make sure you can see your child clearly when s/he approaches the door of a home 
  • Always inspect the candy your kids receive before it is eaten; throw away odd, old-looking, and unwrapped candy

If your older children are going out trick-or-treating by themselves, make sure they go with friends and are not alone.  Have the route they'll take, the names and phone have  numbers of their friends, and an expected time of return before they leave your house.  Make sure that each kid has a flashlight (with new batteries) and one fully-charged cell phone for the group.  Tell kids to only approach well-lit doors/porches when trick-or-treating.  Instruct kids to call you if they may be delayed or experience any problems while they're out trick-or-treating.  *Review the Sex Offender List to steer kids away from offenders
who may live in your neighborhood.*
 

Should you choose to offer candy from your home, make sure you observe the following:
  • Remove tripping hazards--garden hoses, bikes, lawn decorations, etc.--from walkways, porches, doorways
  • Sweep porches, sidewalks, steps, and entryways of wet leaves
  • Check outdoor lights; replace used light bulbs before nightfall
  • Welcome trick-or-treaters with exterior and interior lights turned on
  • Only offer store-bought treats
  • When you've run out of candy, place a "Sorry--Out of Treats" sign on your front door

Sadly, home invasions occur during Halloween.  You are NOT required to open your door to everyone in a
costume--you can turn away adults or teens.  View trick-or-treaters through your door's peep-hole or a window
and announce, without opening the door, that you only give treats to small children.  End your Halloween
participation between 7:30 and 8:00 pm as most young children are finished trick-or-treating at that time.
 

Review "Stranger Danger" Rules with children, and closely observe the following during Halloween:

  • Never approach a stranger's car, accept a ride from a stranger, or get in a stranger's car
  • Never go up to a stranger's car to give directions--it is okay to say "I don't know; I cannot help you."
  • Never wander off on your own--stay with friends or classmates
  • If you think you are being followed, you and your group should go to a house or business and ask for help
  • If you are in danger, you and your group should run toward a busy place, with lots of people, and get help
  • Always tell a trusted adult if you and/or your group have been approached by a stranger
  • Never agree to do anything for a stranger in return for money or gifts
  • RUN, SCREAM, YELL to get away from danger as fast as you can; then TELL what happened to a trusted adult