Fall is my favorite time of year. Watching the trees transform into a picture of color, pulling out cozy sweaters, toasty fall drinks, and the thrill of fall holidays and events. October is exciting for all the little ghosts and goblins as they dream of what character they want to become, picking out their pumpkin, participating in exciting parties, and getting a sugar high from trick-or-treating. Halloween is a great time for kids, but also comes with its own set of risks. As you begin planning for your child’s Halloween fun, keep these health and safety pointers from the National Safety Council, Healthychildren.org, and the Food and Drug Administration in mind for a safe, healthy, and fun Halloween.
Costumes: When planning to make your child’s wild costume ideas a reality, make sure to keep safety in mind as well. Make sure all elements, from the fabric to the wigs are flame resistant. When possible, try to make sure costumes are light colors or add reflective elements in to the design so your kids are easier to see after dark. Try using non-toxic face paints instead of face masks that may obstruct your child’s vision. Ensure that your child’s costume fits correctly, hats that are too large may obstruct vision or hemlines that are too long or dragging elements can be tripping hazards. Ensure their shoes fit well and are comfortable to prevent blisters or tripping hazards. Weather can also be tricky, ensuring warm clothes can be worn as a part of costumes is a great idea to ensure a safe and fun Halloween.
Trick-or-treating: When hitting the trick-or-treat trail, plan ahead. Always accompany younger children and try to stick to daylight hours when possible to ensure you and your child stays safe from motorists or tripping hazards. If your older children hit the trail on their own, plan a route, ensure they use the buddy system, and agree on specific times to be home. Utilize flashlights and glow sticks to ensure you can see where you are going and others can see you. Remind your kids about the risk of distracted walking, and don’t assume cars will stop. Make sure to stay on well-lit streets, always use the sidewalks, and remember to use crosswalks in large groups. Remind children never to enter a home or car for a treat, and review with your child how to call 9-1-1 in emergencies. Don’t forget to warn your child to avoid contact with strange pets, children are the most common victims of dog bites.

If you are planning to welcome kids to your doorstep, make sure to plan ahead. Make sure you have removed any tripping hazards like toys or bicycles. Check your outdoor lights and replace any burned out bulbs. Make sure you have removed wet leaves or utilized ice melt if the weather turns icy. Restrain your pets to keep them and trick-or-treaters safe.
Driving on Halloween: Try to avoid driving during twilight hours and after dark when visibility is lower. Encourage teen and inexperienced drivers to stay off the roads or set specific rules and time limits for driving on Halloween. Avoid neighborhoods with high foot traffic and pay extra attention to pedestrians.
Healthy Halloween: There is nothing wrong with enjoying Halloween treats, but moderation is key. Ensure your child has a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating, and set the rule to avoid eating treats until you have had a chance to examine their goodies. If you have smaller children, make sure to keep an eye on what they have in their mouth at all times to avoid choking, and ration treats after the Halloween rush. Try to stock your bowl with non-edible items like pencils or glow sticks. Snack size, non-sugary treats are also great alternatives.
Halloween is a fun holiday for kids, so keep these pointers in mind as you plan for safety and fun this October. I can’t wait to see all the fun costumes!