Top Tricks for Celebrating Halloween Safely

Halloween is a time of excitement for children and families, filled with tricks and treats, costumes and sweets. But this night of fun also can come with potential dangers. And because BayCare is committed to the health of the community, our experts encourage safety in the midst of all the fun. 

“Before the costumes go on and the candy bags come out, it’s crucial for families to talk about staying visible, crossing streets carefully and being aware of traffic,” said BayCare Kids Wellness and Safety Specialist Gina Baez. “A few minutes of safety talk can make all the difference on Halloween night.”

To keep the excitement from turning into fright, Baez offers the following safety tips.

Safe Trick-or-Treating
Pedestrian safety tops the Halloween hazard list. Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than the rest of the year, making it one of the most dangerous days for child pedestrians.   

• Have an adult accompany children at all times.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Remind children to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Always make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked vehicles.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up when walking.

Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe
Whether it’s a pint-sized superhero or a candy-hungry unicorns, don’t let costumes become a safety scare.

• Choose costumes with light or bright colors and decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape.
• Opt for face paint and makeup rather than masks that can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Select costumes that fit well and avoid billowy materials that can cause children to trip.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.

Driving Safely on Halloween
Drivers, watch out for excited trick-or-treaters who might not be paying attention to their surroundings. Slow down, stay alert and avoid distractions.

• Be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road. Take extra time to actively look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. 
• Reduce distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and pedestrians.

Candy Safety
Before they indulge in Halloween treats, remember to check your child’s candy for any signs of tampering. When in doubt, toss it out!

• When inspecting the candy, remove anything that isn’t wrapped. 
• Some treats could pose a choking hazard so look for anything small that could get stuck in a child’s throat. 
• Consider feeding your children before they go out, which may help them stay full and avoid the temptation to eat the goodies they get while trick-or-treating.
• Set a limit of candy for the following days, one to two pieces to avoid excess calories and sugar.

For more tips on how to keep your children healthy and safe year round, visit BayCare Kids.