Halloween Safety Tips

Costume Ideas:

Costumes are often dark-colored and difficult to see at night. You can use reflective tape on the costumes and on Trick-or-Treating bags and buckets.
Do not wear plastic masks. They block your vision and can cause difficulty breathing. Consider using non-toxic make-up instead.
For make-up and hair dyes, test them on a small area of skin before using. Once you are home, wash off immediately to avoid skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Do not wear decorative contacts. They can impair your vision and cause damage to the eye.
Make sure accessories, such as swords and sticks, are short enough to not impede walking and dull enough that they will not hurt anyone.
Check that all costumes and accessories are flame resistant.
Treat Safety:
Examine all treats before giving to your children. Make sure that they are not tampered with.
Have children eat a meal before they go out to avoid them snacking on treats before you examine them.
Avoid home-made treats: make sure store-bought treats are factory sealed.
Consider giving out non-food items, such as books and pens.
Pumpkin Safety:
Consider using markers to decorate Jack-o-lanterns to avoid any cuts.
When using knives, only allow adults to cut and always cut away from yourself.
Use flashlights and flameless candles inside the pumpkin.
Place pumpkins away from curtains or walkways to avoid a fire hazards.
Trick-or-Treating Safety:
Always carry a flashlight when walking around.
Walk; don't run when going from house to house.
Only use sidewalks, but when necessary to walk on the road, walk on the side facing traffic so you can see any cars coming your way.
Know your route ahead of time to avoid confusion or getting lost.
Go in groups and with a trusted adult.
Never go to homes that are not well-lit.
Never go inside anyone's home or car to get treats.

Author

Ray Santos, MD and Ritu Sharma, MD

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Halloween Safety Tips

Costume Ideas:

Costumes are often dark-colored and difficult to see at night. You can use reflective tape on the costumes and on Trick-or-Treating bags and buckets.

Do not wear plastic masks. They block your vision and can cause difficulty breathing. Consider using non-toxic make-up instead.

For make-up and hair dyes, test them on a small area of skin before using. Once you are home, wash off immediately to avoid skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Do not wear decorative contacts. They can impair your vision and cause damage to the eye.

Make sure accessories, such as swords and sticks, are short enough to not impede walking and dull enough that they will not hurt anyone.

Check that all costumes and accessories are flame resistant.

Treat Safety:

Examine all treats before giving to your children. Make sure that they are not tampered with.

Have children eat a meal before they go out to avoid them snacking on treats before you examine them.

Avoid home-made treats: make sure store-bought treats are factory sealed.

Consider giving out non-food items, such as books and pens.

Pumpkin Safety:

Consider using markers to decorate Jack-o-lanterns to avoid any cuts.

When using knives, only allow adults to cut and always cut away from yourself.

Use flashlights and flameless candles inside the pumpkin.

Place pumpkins away from curtains or walkways to avoid a fire hazards.

Trick-or-Treating Safety:

Always carry a flashlight when walking around.

Walk; don't run when going from house to house.

Only use sidewalks, but when necessary to walk on the road, walk on the side facing traffic so you can see any cars coming your way.

Know your route ahead of time to avoid confusion or getting lost.

Go in groups and with a trusted adult.

Never go to homes that are not well-lit.

Never go inside anyone's home or car to get treats.