For kids, Halloween is one of the most important dates on the calendar, but it’s also one of the riskiest. Studies show kids are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.1 Crowded sidewalks, distracted drivers, and dim lighting increase the chance of a serious accident.
Fortunately, if you follow a few simple precautions, it will go a long way in keeping your kiddos safe. Having said that, let’s check out some Halloween safety tips to help ensure your kids have fun while staying visible and protected.
Choose Bright, Highly Visible Costumes
Staying safe is a process that starts before anyone leaves the house, and the first step is choosing costumes that make kids easy to see. Dark costumes, like those cool vampire outfits, may look spooky, but they also blend into the night. Opt for light or brightly colored outfits whenever possible.
If your child has their heart set on a darker design, add reflective tape or stickers to both the costume and the treat bag.
Costumes should also be flame-resistant (check the label to confirm) and fit properly to avoid trips and falls.
Use Face Paint Instead of Masks
Masks are a common part of Halloween costumes, but they can obstruct vision and make it harder for kids to notice cars or curbs. Face paint or makeup is a safer alternative that still allows children to express creativity, but be sure to check the FDA’s list of approved color additives. As an added safety step, test face paint ahead of time (preferably 24-48 hours in advance) to avoid allergic reactions.
While we’re on the subject of FDA guidelines, be aware that they also discourage the use of decorative contact lenses without the approval of an eye doctor.
Equip Kids With Lights
Lighting is essential when it comes to trick-or-treat excursions. Give each kid a flashlight or glow stick before heading out. Not only does this help them see where they’re walking, but it also makes them a lot more visible to drivers.
Consider adding extra lighting to costumes or candy bags for an extra layer of safety. Wearable devices like Guardian Angel lights can be clipped to clothing, backpacks, or treat bags to provide 360-degree visibility. Unlike glow sticks, these lights don’t fade after an hour and can be switched on and off as needed throughout the evening. They’re also much brighter and can be seen from farther away.
Set a Route and Curfew
Before heading out, plan a clear trick-or-treat route. Stick to familiar neighborhoods and avoid long detours that lead to unknown or isolated areas. For older children who are ready to go without an adult, set a curfew and arrange regular check-ins by phone.
Safe trick-or-treating means knowing not only where kids are going but also when they’ll be home. This provides peace of mind for parents and more structure for kids.
Walk in Groups
Halloween is more fun, not to mention safer, when kids travel together. An adult should always accompany children under 12. Older kids who go out on their own should stick to familiar streets, stay in groups, and never cut through alleys or dark yards. Establish a buddy system so no child is ever left walking alone. Planning a route also ensures everyone knows where they’re going and when to meet back at home. This helps reduce the risk of kids getting lost or wandering into unsafe areas.
Stay on Sidewalks and Paths
One of the most important Halloween safety tips for kids is to stick to sidewalks and paths, where pedestrians are separated from speeding vehicles. If your neighborhood doesn’t have sidewalks, children should walk facing traffic and keep as far to the left as possible. Direct routes with fewer street crossings are the safest choice.
Crowded areas can tempt kids to walk in the street, but sidewalks provide the safest barrier between them and moving vehicles.
Cross Streets Safely
Crossing the street after dark presents an obvious safety risk for trick-or-treaters. Kids should always cross at corners using crosswalks and traffic signals. Teach them to look left, right, and left again, and to keep watching as they cross. It’s smart Halloween advice that applies year-round.
Children should also learn how to make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the road, and never to dart between parked cars. Most Halloween pedestrian accidents happen when children step into the street where drivers don’t expect them.
Keep Devices Away
Phones, earbuds, and handheld games are distractions kids don’t need while walking at night (and neither do adults, for that matter). Looking down at a screen or listening to music can prevent them from noticing oncoming traffic. Encourage children to keep devices in their pockets until they’re home, except for check-ins or emergency situations.
When kids stay alert, they’re better able to notice cars and other hazards in crowded neighborhoods.
Double Up on Visibility Tools
Relying on one flashlight or glow stick isn’t always enough. Combining reflective tape, light-up treat bags, and wearable lighting ensures children stay visible from every angle. If one tool fails, the others still protect them.
For lasting peace of mind, equip kids with Guardian Angel wearable LED lights. These compact, clip-on lights offer multiple brightness modes, 360° visibility, and rechargeable batteries that last the entire night.
Unlike glow sticks that fade or flashlights that get dropped, Guardian Angel lights stay secure on costumes or candy bags, helping drivers spot children from much farther away. Adding them to your Halloween safety toolkit is one of the smartest trick-or-treat safety tips parents can follow.
Sources
- Safe Kids Worldwide. Halloween Safety Tips [PDF].