Trick-or-Treat Tips

These festive gourds are the very symbol of Halloween. Carve safely!

Do not place candle-lit pumpkins on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by. They should never be left unattended.
Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin.
Never let small children carve pumpkins. Instead, have them draw with markers and let an adult do the cutting. For the best control while carving, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (AAHS) recommends a small pumpkin saw, as larger blades can become lodged in the pumpkin and cause injuries when pulled out.

With imagination and a little common sense, you can create costumes that are both safe and fun.

Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
Make sure clothes fit well, and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame.
Look for “flame resistant” on the costume labels. Wigs and accessories should also clearly indicate this.
Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives to masks. Makeup should be allergy-tested ahead of time on a small patch of your child’s skin. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes and blocking vision.
Do not use decorative contact lenses purchased from a store. While the packaging will often make claims such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” wearing decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal.
Tiny trick or treater? Always have a “Plan B” costume. From spit-up to potty accidents, it’s smart to pack a backup costume and plan for the unexpected. If potty-training is in progress, consider an easy-on and -off costume.
Use reflective tape on costumes and trick-or-treat bags.

Safety starts at home. Keep it safe for every trick-or-treater with a little advance preparation.

Remove tripping hazards to keep your home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters. Keep the porch and front yard clear of anything a child could trip over, like garden hoses, toys, bikes, or lawn decorations.
Check outdoor lights and replace burned out bulbs.
Sweep wet, slippery leaves from sidewalks and steps.
Restrain pets. Your dog may be sweet, but someone else’s might not be.

Whether it’s daytime or evening, help your trick-or-treaters be smart, safe, and seen.

Make sure an adult accompanies young children. If older children are going alone, plan and review the route in advance. Agree on a specific time when they should return home and get flashlights with new batteries for everyone.
Never enter a home or car for a treat. Notify law enforcement immediately about any suspicious activity.
Review with your kids how to call 911 (or their local emergency number) in case they have an emergency or become lost. Make a plan for how they can find a phone safely.
Staying in a group and communicating where they will be going are good guidelines for older kids going out without an adult.
Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
Only cross the street as a group, at intersections or established crosswalks. Bigger groups should count off at every intersection to make sure no one is lost.
Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.
Only go to homes with a porch light on. Some neighborhoods also have window signs for homes participating in trick-or-treating.
Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
Never cut across yards or use alleys.
Carry a charged cell phone for quick communication.

If you let your kids collect candy, they will want to eat it. Help them keep it sane - and safe.

Give the youngsters a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating. Realistically, it won’t make them want less candy, but it could help to stave off a sugar crash.
Consider offering non-edible goodies. Food Allergy Research & Education’s Teal Pumpkin Project, which promotes safe trick-or-treating options for food-allergic children, suggests fun favors like glow sticks, spider rings, vampire fangs, bubbles, bouncy balls, finger puppets, stickers, and stencils.
Watch what your child has in their mouth at all times, and wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, it can happen.
It’s tough to be a baby at Halloween. Little ones should not have hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, small candies (jelly beans, etc.), gummy candy, pumpkin seeds, or anything with whole nuts. Candy wrappers, stickers, small toys, or temporary tattoos can be a choking hazard, as well. As all parents know, babies and toddlers will put just about anything into their mouths!
Keep it sweet. In the days following trick-or-treating, try to keep candy guidelines realistic, consistent, and positive. Make a plan together so everyone knows what to expect. It’s also a great opportunity to teach kids about moderation, balance, and healthful indulging.