Halloween Safety
One night a year, goblins, witches and vampires may be seen traveling from house to house in a quest for candy. Halloween is a time for fun for all ages. However, parents, children and community members must remember safety on this day filled with fantasy.
Safety Tips for Parents
- Be sure your child’s costume is big enough to be worn over warm clothes but isn’t so long he could trip.
- Bright, colorful costumes that can be seen easily by drivers are best. Choose costume accessories and props that are flame resistant.
- Shoes should be comfortable and safe for walking.
- Stick with make-up or face paint for finishing touches to a costume—wigs and masks could block your child’s vision.
- Always trick-or-treat with your child and visit homes that you know well.
- Use sidewalks and only cross streets at crosswalks or well lighted intersections. Pedestrian safety is one of the most important concerns on Halloween.
- Try to finish trick-or-treating before dark. Make sure to have a flashlight handy.
Safe Treats
- Check all candy before letting your child eat it. Throw away candy that is not properly wrapped.
- Call the police if you suspect tampering - tasting is not a safe way to test.
- Fruit should be undamaged, washed and cut before eating.
- Children should only eat homemade treats if you know and trust the person who made them.
- Some items, such as gum, nuts, hard candies, seeds or toys with small parts, can be choking hazards. Keep these away from young children.
- Call the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (1-800-222-1222) if your child swallows something that could be harmful. They are available 24-hours a day.
- Consider hosting a Halloween party instead of sending kids trick-or-treating.
Safety Tips for Homeowners
- Paint your pumpkins. Carving knives are dangerous. Also, the candles used inside carved pumpkins are fire hazards.
- If you do light a jack-o’-lantern this year, keep it away from your front door or porch so little costumes don’t catch fire.
- Never leave a lit pumpkin unattended.
- Leave both indoor and outdoor lights on if you want visits from trick-or-treaters.
- Clear the walkway to your door of decorations, hoses, toys, wet leaves or other items that could cause a child to slip or trip.
Additional Halloween Safety Resources
-
Nationwide Children's Hospital Offers Halloween Safety Tips
- Press Release - October 2010
- Blog Posts:
- Trick or Trigger? Halloween Safety for Allergy Patients - October 2016
- Tips for a Healthier Halloween - October 2014
- 6 Tips for Trick-or-Treating with Food Allergies - October 2014