HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Click here for a printable PDF of the Halloween Safety Tips.

Sheriffs Officials Recommend That Parents Follow These Halloween Safety Tips:  

Before Halloween

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.

• Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.

• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives.

• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase only those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.

• Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.

• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

• Plan ahead to use only battery-powered lanterns or chemical light sticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.

• Teach children how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free at any payphone.

• Review with your children the principle of “Stop-Drop-Roll,” should their clothes catch on fire.

• Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.

• Consider purchasing individually packaged healthy food alternatives (or safe non-food treats) for those who visit your home.

• Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.

• Learn or review CPR skills to aid someone who is choking or having a heart attack.

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Fun Alternatives

• Ask around your community and check your local newspaper for information on special events.

• Community centers, shopping malls and churches often have organized festivities.

• Share the fun by arranging a visit to a retirement home or senior center.

• Create an alliance with college fraternities, sororities or service clubs for children’s face painting or a carnival.

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Before Nightfall on Halloween

• A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from eating Halloween treats before parents have a chance to examine them.

• Consider fire safety when decorating. Do not overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects.

• Always keep Jack O’ Lanterns and hot electric lamps away from drapes, decorations, flammable materials or areas where children will be standing or walking.

• Plan and review with your children the route and behavior, which is acceptable to you. Accompany your children and agree on a specific time when older revelers must return home.

• Along with flashlights for all, older children and escorts should wear a wristwatch and carry coins for non-emergency phone calls.

• Confine, segregate or otherwise prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds. Be sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags. Consult your veterinarian for further advice.

• Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.

• Adult partygoers should establish a designated driver.  

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When Trick-or-Treating

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

• Remind Trick-or Treaters:

• By using a flashlight, they can see and be seen by others.

• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

• Only go to homes with a porch light on.

• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.

• Never cut across yards or use alleys.

• Never enter a stranger’s home or car for a treat.

• Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.

• Always walk. Never run across a street.

• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).

• Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.

• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble-seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!

• Never consume food items or drinks that may be offered.

• No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an adult at home.

• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.  

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After Trick-or-Treating

• Wait until children are home to sort and check treats.  Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

• If you have an item that you felt was suspicious, wash your hands with soap and warm water for one minute.

• Only items in their original packaging should be eaten.

• Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.

• Make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies) are given to those of an appropriate age.

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• All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers in unusual garb can be scary and stressful for pets.
• When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that Max or Mittens doesn't dart outside. Make sure all your pets are wearing current identification, just in case.
• No sweets for the sweet: Keep all Halloween candy out of your pet's reach. Chocolate can be poisonous to animals, and tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
• It's not a bright idea to keep lit pumpkins around companion animals. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens in particular run the risk of being burned.
• Don't leave your pet in the yard on Halloween. There have been reports of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and even killed pets on this night.
• Although the ASPCA recommends that cats remain indoors at all times, it is especially important to keep your feline inside for several days before and after Halloween. Black cats in particular may be at risk from children's pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. As a safety precaution, many shelters will not adopt out black cats around Halloween.
• Don't dress up your dog or cat unless you know she loves it. If you decide to do so, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe, and doesn't restrict her movement, vision, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or dangling accessories that she could chew off and possibly choke on. And please supervise pets in costume at ALL times.

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