In the Weeks Before

Pick a costume in a bright color, or plan to add reflective elements to a dark oneDark-colored costumes can make it difficult for drivers to see children crossing the road. You can increase visibility by using a glow-in-the-dark treat pail or adding small battery-powered lights to the bag or costume.
Choose makeup or a hat over a maskMasks block peripheral vision and make it harder to see cars; makeup or decorative hats are a safer alternative.
Test any face paint on a small patch of skin a day ahead if using face paintTest face paint on a small area of your child's wrist or cheek 24 hours in advance, and look for products labeled non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and FDA-approved for cosmetic use.
Skip decorative contact lenses entirelyObtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is dangerous and illegal, and can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders including permanent vision loss.
Buy costumes, wigs, and accessories labeled flame-resistantLook for and purchase items with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
Check that the costume is the right length and shoes fit wellSo nobody trips on hems or stumbles in oversized shoes.
Swap any toy weapon or prop for something softA hard sword or realistic-looking prop can cause injury or alarm, or get mistaken for something worse.
Put a glow stick, flashlight, or light clip somewhere on every kid who'll be out past duskThis is separate from the costume and is the single easiest visibility fix.
Set out a non-candy option if you want food-allergic trick-or-treaters to stop at your house if handing out treatsThe Teal Pumpkin Project suggests items such as glow sticks, bubbles, bouncy balls, finger puppets, whistles, or bookmarks.

The Day Of

Walk or drive the route once beforehand if it's new to youLook for broken streetlights, busy crossings, or construction you'd rather avoid in the dark.
Feed kids a real meal before heading outSo they're not trick-or-treating on an empty stomach and filling up on candy instead.
Agree on a turnaround time and a plan if anyone gets separatedIf older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you and agree on a specific time when they should return home.
Give any solo-capable kid a charged phoneStay in a group and communicate where they will be going, and remember a cellphone for quick communication.
Line up an adult escort for anyone 12 or underThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children 12 and younger be accompanied by an adult while walking door-to-door.
Grab a working flashlight for every adult and child in the group, not just one for the groupHave flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
Clear your own porch and yard if you're handing out candy if handing out treatsRemove anything a child could trip over, check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs, and sweep wet leaves or snow from sidewalks and steps.
Restrain or crate your dog if you're answering the door if handing out treatsEven a friendly dog can get spooked by a parade of costumed strangers and knock over or nip a small child.

On the Walk

Stick to sidewalks, or walk facing traffic if there's no sidewalkWalk on sidewalks, and if there are none, walk facing traffic.
Cross only at corners and crosswalks, as a groupOnly cross the street as a group in established crosswalks, and never cross between parked cars.
Don't assume a stopped car means it's safe to crossMotorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters — just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.
Skip shortcuts through yards or alleysStay on the planned, lit route — never cut across yards or use alleys.
Only approach houses with a porch light on, and never go inside a house or get into a car for a treatOnly go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
Be extra alert between 6 and 7 p.m.The riskiest hour is between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. as the sun sets and increasing darkness overlaps with children being out on the street.
Report anything genuinely alarming to local law enforcement right awayRather than handling it yourself — law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

After, Back Home

Sort and inspect all candy before anyone eats itWait until children are home to sort and check treats — a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious items.
Pull out choking hazards for toddlers and young kidsBabies and toddlers should not have hard candies, caramel apples, popcorn, gum, small candies, gummy candy, pumpkin seeds, or whole nuts — wrappers, stickers, small toys, or temporary tattoos can also be choking hazards.
Check ingredient labels against known allergies if child has food allergyAlways read the ingredient label on any treat your child receives, since many popular Halloween candies contain common allergens.
Ration the stash over the following daysAn easy way to avoid a sugar crash and a stomachache on November 1st.

Trick-or-Treating Safely With Kids

In the Weeks Before

The Day Of

On the Walk

After, Back Home