Overview
- The Consumer Product Safety Commission cites an annual average of about 3,200 Halloween-related emergency visits, with roughly 55% tied to pumpkin carving and about 25% to falls.
- A JAMA Pediatrics analysis found pedestrians nearly twice as likely to be killed on Halloween night, with children ages 4 to 8 facing the highest relative risk during trick‑or‑treat hours.
- Safety agencies recommend reflective tape, bright costumes, flashlights or glow sticks, sidewalks and crosswalks for walkers, plus slower, extra‑cautious driving in neighborhoods.
- CPSC data flag fire hazards linked to seasonal decor, estimating about 5,600 candle-related fires and 1,600 tied to electrical cords or plugs each year, prompting advice to use battery lights and check wiring.
- FDA guidance urges families to inspect treats at home, watch for allergens or tampering, and for adults to avoid impaired driving, with hosts planning sober rides or accommodations.