Halloween Safety Tips for Families and Kids

Trick or treat! It’s fun to scare each other with fake blood and horror stories, but who wants a real accident or (knock on wood) tragedy to happen on Halloween? That’s why these Halloween safety `tips are so important. Go ahead and have a boo-tiful time, but just keep safe and healthy!

Tips for choosing safe costumes

Always make sure your costumes are made of flame-resistant fabric. The costumes should also fit well enough so that there’s no chance of you (or the people around you) tripping over loose hems or jutting accessories. Masks and other head gear shouldn’t interfere with vision or breathing (be sure to check peripheral vision as well).
Since you’ll be going out at night, it’s best if the costumes are light-reflective. For very dark costumes, put reflective masking tape on the back.

Face paint should be hypoallergenic. Always test it on the elbow for any skin sensitivities or reactions before applying all over the body or face.

Also make sure that swords and other accessories aren’t sharp—they can poke someone in the eye! You can find special accessories that are soft and can bend.

Tips for decorating your home

Clear the path way so that no trick or treaters will trip in their excitement to run to get candy! Make sure it’s well-lit. If you are using pretty decorative lights, make sure they have a label certifying that they meet safety standards. It’s also important that the sockets, wires and connections are intact. Check for damage like cracking, fraying, etc.

Candles should be kept away from flammable materials (such as curtains). Never leave lit candles unattended. (And just to be extra safe, keep a fire extinguisher nearby!) It’s also safer to keep candles in containers.

Halloween safety rules to teach your kids

Accompany younger children, even if it’s to answer the door and distribute candy to trick or treaters. If your children are going out without you (most teenagers will freak out at the thought of mommy going with them!) make sure they’re with friends. There’s safety in numbers! Ask them about their route and tell them to stick to well-lit places. Remind them of traffic safety rules such as sticking to the sidewalk and looking both ways before crossing the road.

Check the candy before eating them, especially if your child has allergies. Here’s a list of allergy-safe candy. Also make sure that any novelty items are age-appropriate (for example, children below five should not be given toys with small parts).

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