Halloween Safety 101: How to protect your kids on the spookiest night of the year
From costumes to candy, here’s what safety experts say you should do before your kids head out for trick-or-treating.
From costumes to candy, here’s what safety experts say you should do before your kids head out for trick-or-treating.
From costumes to candy, here’s what safety experts say you should do before your kids head out for trick-or-treating.
Halloween is meant to be a night of fun, but if you’re not careful it can quickly turn into a nightmare. Our National Consumer Unit is sharing safety reminders to help keep you and your loved ones safe this spooky season.
1. Walk Safely
Costumes, check. Decorations, check. Now it’s time to make sure you’re walking safely.
According to the , kids are ten times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other night of the year.
Parents should choose a trusted adult to accompany young trick-or-treaters. Remind children to walk, don’t run, and use crosswalks, and always look both ways before crossing the street.
For teens, establish a curfew, encourage them to stick together, never enter a stranger’s home, and keep their eyes up, not on their phones, while walking.
2. Dress Safely
Visibility is key. Carry a flashlight or glowstick, or add reflective tape to costumes so drivers can see you in the dark. If you’re wearing masks or headpieces, make sure they don’t block your vision.
3. Eat Safely
Before kids dig into their candy haul, inspect all treats first. Toss anything that’s open or looks tampered with, check labels for allergens, and remove hard or sticky candy that could pose a choking hazard for young children.
And be especially cautious about THC-infused edibles, some look just like regular candy but can be extremely dangerous for kids.
4. Be Alert on the Road
Research from shows trick-or-treating peaks between 6 and 7 p.m., right around rush hour.
If you’re driving, slow down, stay alert, and keep an eye out for little ghosts and goblins crossing the street.
