Halloween safety
Halloween is an exciting time for kids, but it's also a holiday that can pose dangers to children. Follow these safety tips to help make the holiday a trick-free treat.
Dressing Up
- Put a name tag on your child's costume with your address and phone number.
- Choose a light-colored costume, or add glow-in-the-dark tape to the front and back of the costume so your child can easily be seen.
- Don't buy a costume unless it's labeled "flame-retardant." This means the material won't burn.
- Wigs and beards should not cover your child's eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Don't let your child wear a mask. Masks can make it difficult for kids to see or breathe. Instead, use nontoxic face paint or makeup. Have younger children can draw pictures of what they want to look like. Older children will have fun putting the makeup on themselves.
- Avoid oversized and high-heeled shoes that could cause your child to trip.
- Avoid long or baggy skirts, pants, or shirt sleeves that could catch on something and cause falls.
- Any props your child carries, such as wands or swords, should be flexible.
Pumpkin Decorating
- Don't allow your child to do the pumpkin carving.
- As an alternative to pumpkin carving, paint a face on the pumpkin using brightly colored poster paint. Add yarn for hair and a hat. Perch the pumpkin on an old pair of shoes.
- If you plan on lighting your pumpkin, small votive candles are safest. Make sure the pumpkin is placed on a sturdy surface away from curtains and other flammable materials.
Trick-or-Treating
- Consider purchasing Halloween treats other than candy. Stickers, erasers, crayons, pencils, and sealed packages of raisins and dried fruits are good choices.
- Accompany young children (under age 10) on their rounds.
- Trick-or-treating should be limited to your neighborhood and the homes of people you and your child know.
- When your child gets home, check all treats to make sure they are safely sealed and there is no sign of tampering, such as small pinholes, loose or torn packages, and packages that appear to have been taped or glued back together.
- Throw out loose candy and any homemade treats that have not been made by someone you know.
- Don't allow young children to have hard candy or gum that could cause choking.
Make sure trick-or-treaters will be safe when visiting your home, too. Remove lawn decorations, sprinklers, toys, bicycles, or anything that might obstruct your walkway. Provide a well-lit outside entrance to your home. Keep family pets away from trick-or-treaters.