How to Trick or Treat Safely

Guide Note: Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween by following these simple steps for How to Trick or Treat Safely.

Table of Contents:

More Halloween How Tos

Read tips and tricks for carving the scariest pumpkin on the block

Learn how to toast, roast, and microwave your pumpkin seeds

Read up on the latest trends and impress the crowd with our best Halloween costume ideas.

Have a spooky, scary time by setting up your own haunted house

Introduction

Creative Commons photo by Jason Zimdars
Creative Commons photo by Jason Zimdars
  • Every year, children from all over the world look forward to the Halloween tradition of Trick-or-Treating. Not only is it a great excuse for kids to get dressed up in scary cosutmes and have an adventure walking through their neighborhood, it also allows them to snatch up gobs of free candy! Who wouldn't love that? Although Trick-or-Treating is geared mainly towards children, parents and adults can help make sure that their kids have a fun and safe Halloween by focusing on ways in which they can ensure the safety of their masked marauders as they venture out into the night. Here are some tips on how to Trick-or-Treat safely.

Before You Go

  • Before you start getting ready for Trick-or-Treating, there are a few things that you will want to decide on beforehand:
    CC photo by Kelly Williams
    CC photo by Kelly Williams
  1. Will you be accompanying your kids while they Trick-or-Treat? While most sites recommend that adults provide supervision to children under 12 years old, you will need to decide for yourself how comfortable you are with letting them go out alone. If you do allow them to Trick-or-Treat by themselves, you should probably go over important safety tips with them beforehand.
  2. What time will you be going out? While some families prefer to do their Trick-or-Treating in the early evening (when it is still light out), others may want to wait until its dark out (for more of a spooky atmosphere - and so that illuminated Jack-o'-Lanterns are more pronounced). While your start time may vary, it is usually best to be done with your Trick-or-Treating by 9pm at the latest.
  3. Will your child have any companions? Often children like to Trick-or-Treat with groups of their friends, so make sure that you coordinate with the other parents before agreeing to supervise a group of your child's friends.

What To Bring

  • There are a number of simple items that you should bring along with you when Trick-or-Treating that can help improve your safety:
  1. Flashlight: Extremely important! Being able to see where you're going (and having other people see you) can greatly reduce your risk of accidents. Make sure to check your batteries before you go out.
  2. Cell Phone or enough change to make a call: If your child is going out alone, make sure that they either have a mobile phone they can use (or coins for a pay phone) so that they can contact you in case of an emergency.
  3. Watch:
    Remember your flashlight (Creative Commons photo by Jared Benedict)
    Remember your flashlight (Creative Commons photo by Jared Benedict)
    Make sure that someone in the group has a working watch so that they know exactly when it is time to come home. Decide on a time for them to stop Trick-or-Treating and set the alarm so they know when it's time to go home.
  4. Comfortable Shoes: Since they will be walking around all night, it is important for your kids to be wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Novelty shoes (like high-heels or boots) will end up making their feet hurt, as well as making it easier for them to trip and fall.
  5. A spare Halloween candy bag: Just in case the one their using breaks. Nothing can ruin Halloween faster than coming home empty handed.

Where To Go

  • Whether your child will be going out alone, or with you in tow, it is always a good idea to plan out your Trick-or-Treat route before hand.
    Only go to houses that are well lit (CC photo by Melanie)
    Only go to houses that are well lit (CC photo by Melanie)
    Wandering around without a plan can get you lost and can lead you into areas that might not be as friendly to Trick-or-Treaters.
  1. Make sure that you choose a neighborhood that is Trick-or-Treater friendly. Areas with a lot of commercial businesses or apartment complexes are usually not the best places to Trick-or-Treat. Neighborhoods that are close to schools will often have more families living around them and a better chance for warm welcome.
  2. Check out your route beforehand in the daylight so that you can check for obstacles such as uneven sidewalks, barking dogs, construction work or other things that could cause problems.
  3. Make sure that your children know that they should only stop at houses that are well-lit and that look like there might be someone home. Not every home will be open for Trick-or-Treating, so make sure they use caution.
  4. Always walk on the sidewalk, never on the street! Also, make sure not to cross any yards or lawns. Objects that aren't immediately visible can trip you up.

Costume Tips

Don't let your costume drag on the ground (Creative Commons photo by Aine D)
Don't let your costume drag on the ground (Creative Commons photo by Aine D)
  • While elaborate and intricate Halloween costumes are fun to make and wear, it is important that you keep safety in mind when deciding what to wear when Trick-or-Treating. Before going out, take a look at your child's costume to make sure that there is nothing that could cause any problems. Here are a few tips:
  1. Make sure that the entire costume is made from flame retardant material.
  2. Don't let any part of your costume drag on the ground. Tripping on low hanging cloth is one of the most common Halloween hazards.
  3. If going out after dark, put reflective tape on costumes so that motorists and other people can see them.
  4. If you can, try not to bring props that are sharp, pointed or have serious edges (such as knives, swords, wands or bats). If your costume requires a prop, make sure that it is plastic, flexible and dull.
  5. If a costume includes a mask, make sure that the eye holes are large enough to see properly out of and that the mouth hole provides adequate breathing room.

Traffic Safety Tips

  • Since your children will inevitably be crossing the street and dealing with traffic while they are out combing the neighborhood for treats, it is important for them to understand and follow basic traffic safety rules.
    Obey all traffic signs (CC photo by Kurt Christensen)
    Obey all traffic signs (CC photo by Kurt Christensen)
    While motorists and drivers should also be on the lookout for Trick-or-Treaters, it is up to you to make sure your children know the rules of the road.
  1. Always walk on sidewalks, never in the street.
  2. If there aren't any sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, paying attention to oncoming traffic.
  3. Follow all traffic signals and signs, even if it looks like you can cross the street safely.
  4. When planning your route, try to avoid major streets and intersections.
  5. If you're traveling in a group, make sure that everyone crosses the street together. Don't let stragglers fall behind and have to cross the street themselves.
  6. Don't wear headphones or anything that can constrict your hearing. You should be able to hear a car before you see it.

Before Eating Treats

  • Ah, the joy of candy! The reason that children look forward to Trick-or-Treating each year! What could possibly be unsafe about sweet candy? While Halloween candy may seem harmless, it always a good idea to take extra precautions so that your kids don't consume anything that could possibly hurt them. Here are some tips:
CC photo by Harris Graber
CC photo by Harris Graber
  1. Tell your kids to not eat any of their candy until it has been brought back home and inspected by you.
  2. If they've been given fruit, make sure to wash it thoroughly and slice it into pieces before eating.
  3. If you see any piece of candy that looks like it has been tampered with, throw it out immediately.
  4. Hospitals will sometimes offer to X-ray bags of candy to detect foreign objects
  5. If you feed your kids before they go out, they will be less likely to eat their candy before they get home.

Conclusion

  • Halloween should be a time of excitement, fun, and wonder for your children and a great Trick-or-Treating experience can play a big part in helping to create lasting memories that will stay with them until they are ready to take their kids Trick-or-Treating. As a parent, you should do all you can to ensure the safety of your little witches and wizards. Follow the tips and advice in this guide in order make sure that they have a safe and fun Trick-or-Treating experience!

Resources for Safe Trick or Treating