Halloween safety 101: Trick-or-treating safety

While imaginations run wild, there are steps every parent and caregiver should take to keep their families safe while trick-or-treating.

“Kids are excited and easily distracted,” said Erin Summa, MPH, health promotion program manager, at Mary Bridge Children’s Center for Childhood Safety. “When it’s dark and there’s increased traffic, there’s increased risk for injuries and accidents.”

A few safety tips for families include:

• Always have a responsible and trusted adult accompany children younger than age 12 as they’re out trick-or-treating. Older children should stay in a group of friends and carry a cell phone.
• Give each child a flashlight to use.
• Stay on well-lit streets in familiar neighborhoods.
• Never enter cars or homes for treats. Only trick-or-treat from homes with the lights on.
• Cross the street at designated crosswalks. Teach children to make eye-contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Use sidewalks when possible and stay off lawns. If you must walk on the street, walk on the far edge of the road, facing traffic so you can see oncoming cars.
• Walk, never run, from house to house.

Learn more from Mary Bridge Children’s infectious diseases experts about Halloween safety and COVID-19 precautions and get tips from our registered dietitians about managing the Halloween sugar rush. For more information about child safety topics, visit Center for Childhood Safety.