Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

More than 40 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 hit the trick-or-treat trails on Halloween. The nation's emergency physicians advise parents to review these safety guidelines with their children to avoid injury.

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1. If possible, have children trick-or-treat at organized Halloween festivities, such as local churches, shopping malls or schools.

2. Make sure your child stays on the sidewalks as much as possible (off streets) and obeys all traffic
signals.

3. Discuss the importance of staying together in a group. Require at least one adult to serve as chaperone during trick-or-treat gatherings.

4. Make sure your child knows the potential dangers from strangers. Make sure they know never to accept rides from strangers or visit unfamiliar homes or areas.

5. Avoid costumes that could cause children to trip, such as baggy pants, long hems, high heels and oversized shoes.

6. Avoid costumes that obstruct your child's sight or vision.

7. Avoid masks if possible. If your child must wear one, make sure it is well ventilated.

8. Make sure costume fabric, wigs and beards areas made of flame-resistant materials, such as nylon or polyester.

9. Keep candlelit Jack-O-Lanterns away from children so they can't get burned or set on fire.

10. Make sure costumes are visible at night: avoid dark colors. Add reflective tape to costumes so your child is more visible to motor vehicles.

11. Make sure you see all the candy before your child eats it. Avoid candy not wrapped in its original wrapper, as well as all fruit.

12. Take a flashlight while trick-or-treating as visibility decreases long before it gets really dark.

13. Check accessories such as swords, knives, wands and other pointed objects. Make sure they are made from flexible materials and have dulled edges.

Source: ACEP

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