--- title: Trick-or-Treating Safely With Kids description: What to sort out before, during, and after a night of trick-or-treating so everyone gets home safe. category: safety tags: [halloween, kids, pedestrian-safety, trick-or-treating] version: "1.0" updated: 2026-10-21 moment: halloween sources: - name: American Academy of Pediatrics Halloween Safety Tips (via Children's Physicians Medical Group) url: https://physicians.cpmgsandiego.com/articles/halloween-safety-tips/ - name: American Academy of Pediatrics Halloween Safety Tips (via Children's Mercy) url: https://www.childrensmercy.org/parent-ish/2023/10/halloween-safety-tips/ - name: The Must-Follow Trick-Or-Treat Safety Tips For Parents, According To The AAP url: https://www.scarymommy.com/parenting/trick-or-treat-safety-tips-for-parents - name: 12 Halloween Safety Tips for a Fun and Injury-Free Night url: https://www.solvhealth.com/health/6-halloween-tricks-and-how-to-treat-them - name: Halloween Safety Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics url: https://nuheights.com/halloween-safety-tips/ - name: Halloween Safety Tips — Pediatric Care Center url: https://pediatriccarectr.com/halloween-safety-tips/ - name: Children Twice as Likely to Be Struck and Killed on Halloween url: https://www.jgllaw.com/articles/children-twice-as-likely-to-be-struck-and-killed-on-halloween-heres-why/ - name: Studies show pedestrian fatalities are much higher on Halloween — WPR url: https://www.wpr.org/health/studies-show-pedestrian-fatalities-are-much-higher-halloween-especially-among-children --- Halloween is genuinely more dangerous for child pedestrians than almost any other night of the year, but that doesn't mean you need to be anxious — it just means a few specific precautions matter more than the usual costume fretting. Here's what to actually do, in order. ## In the Weeks Before - [ ] Pick a costume in a bright color, or plan to add reflective elements to a dark one `{essential}` Dark-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 mask Masks 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 `{when: using-face-paint}` Test 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 entirely `{essential}` Obtaining 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-resistant `{essential}` Look for and purchase items with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant. - [ ] Check that the costume is the right length and shoes fit well So nobody trips on hems or stumbles in oversized shoes. - [ ] Swap any toy weapon or prop for something soft A 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 dusk This 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 `{when: handing-out-treats}` The 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 you Look for broken streetlights, busy crossings, or construction you'd rather avoid in the dark. - [ ] Feed kids a real meal before heading out So 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 separated `{essential}` If 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 phone `{essential}` Stay 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 under `{essential}` The 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 group Have flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts. - [ ] Clear your own porch and yard if you're handing out candy `{when: handing-out-treats}` Remove 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 `{when: handing-out-treats}` Even 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 sidewalk `{essential}` Walk on sidewalks, and if there are none, walk facing traffic. - [ ] Cross only at corners and crosswalks, as a group `{essential}` Only 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 cross `{essential}` Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters — just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will. - [ ] Skip shortcuts through yards or alleys Stay 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 treat `{essential}` Only 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. `{essential}` 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 away Rather 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 it `{essential}` Wait 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 kids `{essential}` Babies 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 `{when: child-has-food-allergy}` Always read the ingredient label on any treat your child receives, since many popular Halloween candies contain common allergens. - [ ] Ration the stash over the following days An easy way to avoid a sugar crash and a stomachache on November 1st.