How to Keep Kids Safe While Trick‑Or‑Treating

Overview

• Make children more visible after dark by using flashlights, glow sticks, reflective tape, planned well-lit routes, and by reminding them to use crosswalks to reduce driver collisions.
• Choose costumes that fit and do not block vision, test face paint for skin reactions, keep hems short to prevent trips, and use battery-operated lights in pumpkins and LED decorations to avoid fire risks.
• Inspect all trick-or-treat candy at home, discard open or unlabeled items, serve a filling meal beforehand, and limit portions so children do not overindulge or choke on small pieces.
• Be allergy-aware: some candies contain milk or gelatin and can trigger conditions including alpha-gal syndrome; offer nonfood treats and display a teal pumpkin to signal allergy-friendly options.
• Supervise young children or send older kids in groups, require helmets for bikes or scooters, and consider alternatives such as trunk-or-treat events to keep vulnerable children safer and more included.