Halloween safety tips for parents & kids

Medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Koickel, MD on October 29th 2025.

While Halloween can be lots of fun for the whole family, there are a few steps your family can take to ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween. Surveys have found that Halloween comes with a heightened risk of injury and even death, particularly for children, who may engage in risky behaviors, wear dangerous costumes or not pay attention when trick-or-treating in the dark.

While we can’t control what everyone else around us does, there are plenty of ways parents and caregivers can ensure the safety of children and neighbors this Halloween. To make the holiday a success, it’s essential to prioritize safety as kids go door-to-door. Here are a few of our Halloween safety tips for kids and adults to ensure everyone has a great night.

Halloween safety tips for parents

As parents, it’s our job to prepare our kids for a safe and successful Halloween. This means discussing and implementing these Halloween safety tips for kids before trick-or-treating begins.

It all starts with clearly communicating the evening’s rules and setting clear boundaries for what is expected of both kids and parents. Here are a few ways parents can approach this discussion with their kids.

Before trick-or-treating

Before Halloween night, make choices that prioritize safety. Start by choosing costumes without masks that can impair breathing or vision. Be sure that clothing isn’t baggy to prevent tripping.

Start the evening by having a conversation with your kids about the expectations for trick-or-treating safety. Younger children should always be supervised and only go out with a trusted adult. Child trackers may be clipped to clothing if they are available. Or consider writing emergency contact information on their arm or a wristband should they become separated from the rest of the family.

Older children should have clear directions for their trick-or-treating route and a specific time they are expected to return home. This may also include checking in with parents periodically throughout the evening. Also, take note of who your children are trick-or-treating with and consider getting the contact information for their parents.

During trick-or-treating

One of the most important Halloween safety tips for kids is to teach them to be particularly aware of their surroundings when trick-or-treating. Going out in groups is essential, whether it’s a neighborhood pod or a handful of young kids with parental supervision.

In the evening, kids should be supervised at all times, especially when they go up to the doors of houses and cross streets. Supplying them with a flashlight, glowstick or reflective tape is a good safety practice to ensure they are seen in the dark.

Teach children never to go inside a stranger’s home on Halloween or any other night of the year. Instruct them to use crosswalks when crossing the street. And remind them not to approach pets, who may be particularly on edge due to the excitement of the evening.

After trick-or-treating

Halloween safety tips also apply after children have returned home. Kids are always excited to dive into their candy collection right away, but it’s a good idea to go through their haul together before anything is consumed.

Checking for damaged candy is one of the most essential tips for Halloween safety. Discarding pieces that have been opened is a crucial preventive practice in case the candy has been tampered with.

Certain types of candy may be unsafe for younger children because of their texture or shape. Jaw-breakers or other round candy, as well as super chewy candy, should not be given to young children, as these candies can be a choking hazard.

Make your home safe for trick-or-treaters

Halloween safety also applies if you’re handing out candy, as you want everyone to feel safe and comfortable when they come to your door. When kids arrive for trick-or-treating, there are things you can do to offer a safe and fun experience for everyone involved.

Be mindful of allergies

Nut allergies are prominent. Many kids are also allergic to ingredients like chocolate or milk. Some kids have food sensitivities to gluten or other ingredients, so they may be more particular about the candy they are allowed to have.

If you incorporate candy with ingredients that are common allergens, you may also have a separate bucket of candy free from common allergens.

Some families place a teal-colored pumpkin (real or fake) on their doorstep on Halloween to indicate they are an allergy-friendly stop. Neighborhood sites often share maps with allergy-friendly homes highlighted to make them easier to find.

Create a candy chute

This trend became popular during the pandemic, allowing children to have Halloween fun while also socially distancing themselves. It is a great option if you plan on being away from home on Halloween but still want to participate in handing out candy to the neighborhood kids.

Some families have gotten creative, using anything from PVC pipes to homemade catapults to transport candy from their doorstep to children’s bags without touching it. Another idea is to create a candy “graveyard” on the front lawn, where children can grab candy as they pass by rather than approaching the door.

Provide well-lit paths and doors

Most trick-or-treating happens after dark, which makes good lighting around your home essential for safety. Keep the pathway between the street and your front door free of clutter, and avoid placing too many decorations where children will be walking.

While it may be tempting to keep the yard dim for a spooky atmosphere, well-lit walkways can significantly reduce the risk of trips and falls. Choose decorations carefully, steering clear of items with cords stretched across paths or those with sharp edges that could cause injuries.

Instead, opt for light-up decorations placed near walkways, which not only improve visibility but also add to the festive mood. Balancing safety and fun ensures that families can enjoy the night without unnecessary accidents, making your home both welcoming and memorable for trick-or-treaters.

Jack-O-Lantern safety tips

While light-up Jack-O-Lanterns look fun on Halloween night and add to the mood, using real candles can pose a fire hazard. Consider using glow sticks or battery-powered tea lights instead.

Also, don’t carve your Jack-O-Lanterns too far in advance, as they tend to mold quickly, sometimes in just a day or two! Rotten pumpkin flesh may cause a slipping hazard if left out too long on a front porch.

Keep your pets and trick-or-treaters safe

Halloween pet safety is important for your animals and trick-or-treaters. Pets can become anxious with the constant ringing of the doorbell and unexpected guests coming to the door all night.

If that is the case, consider putting your pet in a quiet room or crate away from the front door. Or keep them on a leash so you can control them when you open the door. If your animal is extremely anxious or may become aggressive with strangers, consider boarding them for the evening to ensure a safe Halloween for everyone.

Alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating

Going door to door isn’t the only way to celebrate Halloween. It may not even be an option, depending on where you live. If you prefer to find an alternative to trick-or-treating, consider hosting a Halloween gathering during the day or looking for a trunk or treat in your community.

Trunk or treat is where communities or organizations will go to parking lots and decorate the trunks of their cars to pass out candy. Or an at-home party, even during the day, can be a fun way to celebrate Halloween without going out at night.

Halloween safety tips for adults

Many adults love Halloween festivities just as much as children do, but they also need to stay safe. Here are some Halloween safety tips for adults celebrating the holiday.

Prepare before you go out

Preparation is the best way to avoid potential Halloween risks. Have a plan, including what route your family will take for trick-or-treating or festivities, as well as a start and end time. Take a flashlight and phone with you as you go around the neighborhood.

If you won’t be home while others are trick-or-treating, you may also want to place a bucket of candy on your front porch, leave the light on and make sure your door is locked.

Celebrate at home

If you’re not keen on the idea of leaving the house this Halloween, you can offer the alternative of celebrating at home. A Halloween house party can be just as fun as heading out to trick-or-treat, especially if you don’t have kids. But since there are so many kids out that night, avoid driving if you’re planning to consume alcohol.

Be careful while driving

Accidents on the road are common on Halloween, so it is essential to stay vigilant while driving through neighborhoods or trick-or-treat parking lots.

There’s a lot of distraction in communities, particularly children running around from home to home. If you do need to drive that night, drive slowly. Keep an eye on the roads and practice safety by keeping children out of the street.

Urgent care is open on Halloween

Concerned about Halloween safety? Don’t worry; there are several urgent care centers open in case your family needs assistance. Many urgent care centers are equipped to treat a wide range of non-emergency injuries and illnesses, no matter what happens that night.

If you need help assessing and treating an injury or accident, go to an urgent care center near you. You can walk in or save your spot online.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Halloween safety.

What are the best materials for safe Halloween costumes?

The best materials for safe Halloween costumes are flame-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, as they reduce the risk of fire-related accidents. Costumes should also be well-fitting to avoid tripping hazards.

How can I make my home safer for trick-or-treaters?

You can make your home safer for trick-or-treaters by keeping walkways well-lit, removing tripping hazards and avoiding decorations that block pathways. Adding lights along driveways or steps can further help prevent accidents.

What should I do if my child has a food allergy?

If your child has a food allergy, check all treats carefully before allowing them to eat and keep safe snacks on hand. Consider participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project to encourage safe, non-food treat options.

At what age can children trick-or-treat without adult supervision?

Children are generally ready to trick-or-treat without adult supervision around ages 12–13, depending on maturity and neighborhood safety. Parents should still set clear boundaries, check-in times and group expectations.

How can I teach my child about pedestrian safety on Halloween?

You can teach your child about pedestrian safety on Halloween by practicing crossing streets at crosswalks, looking both ways and making eye contact with drivers. Encourage them to carry flashlights or glow sticks to stay visible.

Halloween safety tips for parents & kids