Public Safety Tip: Halloween Safety Tips for Your Family

Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for both kids and adults—but it also comes with an increased risk of accidents and injuries. According to statistics from the Safety Council of Palm Beach County, children are twice as likely to be hit by cars on Halloween. Protect your young trick-or-treaters and yourself by following these essential Halloween safety tips to ensure a fun night for everyone.
Boost Visibility
Keep young trick-or-treaters visible even after the sun sets with these helpful tips:
- Carry glowsticks, light up buckets or LED accessories such as wands and swords.
- Provide children with flashlights or wearable headlamps.
- Only visit well-lit, familiar areas.
Ensure Costume Safety
These Halloween safety tips highlight the importance of choosing costumes that are bright, reflective and allow clear vision.
- Masks can obscure kids’ vision, making it difficult for them to see traffic or tripping hazards. Instead, plan a mask-free costume or use face paint instead to improve visibility.
- Ensure that costumes fit properly and don’t pose a tripping hazard.
- Halloween costumes often feature dark colors, making the kids wearing them harder to see at night. Select bright colors and/or attach reflective tape to costumes.
Enjoy Worry-Free Trick-Or-Treating
Focus on the fun of the holiday with these Halloween safety tips while trick-or-treating:
- Adults should always accompany small children, but even so, encourage kids to stay together.
- For older kids who will be trick-or-treating without supervision:
- Make sure their phones are charged in case they become separated from their friends.
- Discuss and agree on their route in advance and remind older kids to stay in your neighborhood.
- Reiterate that they should never enter a stranger’s house or accept a ride from someone they don’t know.
- Remind kids of all ages to use crosswalks, look both ways before crossing the street and avoid shortcuts through alleys or unlit areas.
- Keep an eye out for obstacles and decorations that could be tripping hazards.
- Avoid homes without lights on and properties with “No Trespassing” signs.
Carefully Inspect Candy
Myths about Halloween candy dangers have persisted for decades, despite little evidence to support most of these fears. Take these steps to ensure that all treats are safe.
- Inspect your child’s candy before they dig in and make sure to remove any treats that aren’t age-appropriate (i.e., gum or jawbreakers a toddler could choke on).
- Discard anything that looks suspicious or is unwrapped.
- Only trust homemade treats from people you trust.
- If your child has an allergy that keeps them from eating certain kinds of candy, consider stocking up on allergy-friendly treats and have your child swap out their haul at the end of the night.
- Teal pumpkins are placed outside of homes during Halloween to signal that they offer non-food treats for trick-or-treaters.
Consider These Alternative Events
For families who are looking for alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating, these Halloween events have gained popularity because of their safety and focus on community.
- Trunk or Treat: Gather in a parking lot where decorated car trunks provide treats, creating a safe and festive environment.
- Halloween Parties: Host or attend a themed party with games, snacks and costume contests.
- Community Events: Look for local festivals, parades or pumpkin patches that offer activities and treats.
- Treat Bags from Neighbors: Coordinate with neighbors to create treat bags to distribute ahead of time, allowing kids to collect goodies without going door-to-door.
- Virtual Halloween Events: Participate in online costume contests or themed gatherings, perfect for connecting with friends and family remotely.
- Charity Drives: Encourage kids to collect donations for local charities instead of candy, promoting a spirit of giving.
- Halloween Movie Night: Enjoy a spooky movie marathon at home with themed snacks and drinks.
- Scavenger Hunts: Create a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt in your yard or home, complete with clues and small prizes.
- Craft Nights: Host a craft night where everyone can create Halloween decorations or treats together.
Remember these Halloween safety tips to ensure a fun holiday. Stay vigilant and informed to protect yourself and your loved ones. Sign up for your local sheriff’s office updates, and don’t hesitate to call 911 if you see someone in distress.
The Florida Sheriffs Association is committed to helping you stay informed and safe. You can read our monthly public safety tips here.