Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to child safety. There are several easy and effective behaviors that parents can share with kids to help reduce their risk of injury.
Hard Facts
On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
Top Tips
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.
- Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
- Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
- When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Candy
- Only eat store bought items in individual wrappers
- Throw out candies with open or damaged wrappers
- Toss out homemade treats
Common Candy Problems:
- Graying chocolate caused by exposure to heat or dampness
- Black/brown spots may be from burned sugar
- Powder on surface may be due to food starch
- Shiny crystals due to tree sap or large sugar crystals
- Metallic taste may be due to burned candy
- Holes may be due to air holes or starch holes
Report candy tampering to local Police Department or Poison Control
1-800-222-1222
Provide the following information while reporting:
- Brand name of the product
- Bar code number from the label
- Where product was obtained
- Complaint or description of illness
Reports are sent to the Halloween Candy Hotline created by the National Confectioner’s Association.
Candy tips provided by:
Learn More
Here are a few more tips on how to keep your kids happy and safe on Halloween.
Light Up Halloween
We want Halloween to be scary for all the right reasons. That’s why it’s so important for all our little monsters to wear reflective clothing or carry a flashlight, glow stick, or reflective bag. But don’t take it from us, here’s a group of funky dancing kids who show us it’s fun to be seen on Halloween.