Tips for a Safe and Fun Halloween with Your Little One

Dressing Up

• Stay visible at night. Choose a light-colored costume that’s easy to see at night.
• Add reflective or glow-in-the-dark tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Accessorize safely. Masks can make it hard for kids to see and breathe. Instead, opt for non-toxic face paint or makeup.
• Make sure wigs and beards don’t cover your kids eyes, noses, or mouths.
• Choose “flame-retardant” costumes. This means the material won’t burn. If you make your own costume, use nylon or polyester materials, which are flame-retardant.
• Use name tags. Put a nametag with your phone number on your child’s costume or order Mabels Labels to make it easier!

Trick-or-Treating

Stay alert. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, the risk of kids being hit by a car is higher on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Make sure your child:

• walks on sidewalks on lit streets (never through alleys or across lawns)
• walks from house to house (never run)
• always walk facing traffic when walking on roads
• crosses the street at crosswalks and never assumes that vehicles will stop

Use flashlights. Give your child a flashlight with fresh batteries. Consider using glow sticks as bracelets or necklaces.

Safe Snacking

• Check candy. Make sure all candy is sealed. Throw out anything with torn wrappers or holes in the packages, spoiled items, and any homemade treats that weren’t made by someone you know.
• Moderate candy intake. As you check what your kids brought home, keep track of how much candy they got and avoid storing it in their bedrooms. Consider being somewhat lenient about candy eating on Halloween, within reason, and talk about how the rest of the candy will be handled.
• Consider non-candy treats. Make Halloween fun for all, including kids with food allergies. Consider candy alternatives like stickers, coloring books, temporary tattoos, false teeth, and small games.

Your pediatrician is your best partner for personalized health advice about your child’s well-being on Halloween and every day.

Reach out to your provider for any concerns you may have.
Looking for trusted primary care that’s close to home? Find a pediatrician near you.

For more health and safety tips, visit Nemours KidsHealth — a trusted resource with expert advice and guidance on everything from growth and development to learning and mental health.