Tuesday, October 31, 2023 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
A major clue that a homeowner is game to dish out treats on Halloween is if their porch light is on.
Costume safety
- Choose costumes that are light-colored and more visible to motorists.
- Use reflective tape to decorate costumes and candy bags to increase visibility of children to drivers. Reflective tape may be purchased at hardware, bicycle, or sporting goods stores.
- Use make-up rather than a mask; if your child’s costume does include a mask, make sure it fits snugly and that the eyeholes are large enough to allow full vision.
- Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
- Costumes should be short enough that a child will not trip and fall.
- Choose costume accessories such as swords or knives that are made of soft and flexible material.
- Costumes should be made of flame-retardant material.
- Do not use novelty contacts such as “cat eyes” or “snake eyes.”
Pedestrian safety
- Engage in Halloween activities during the daylight hours, if possible.
- Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
- Remind children to walk, not run, and to only cross streets at crosswalks.
- Be sure your children are accompanied by a responsible adult who has a flashlight. Flashlights or chemical light sticks should be used so that children can see and be seen by motorists.
Halloween home safety
- Remove obstacles from your lawn, porch, or steps if you are expecting trick-or-treaters.
- Make sure your front porch is well-lit.
- Avoid using candle-lit jack-o-lanterns if possible. If you do use candles, don’t place them near curtains, furnishings, or decorations. Move them off porches where children’s costumes may ignite.
- Keep your pets in another room when you are expecting trick-or-treaters.
- Small children should not carve pumpkins; instead, allow them to draw the designs on the pumpkin and adults may carve.
- Turn on an outside light if welcoming trick-or-treaters.
Treat safety
- Instruct children to wait until they are home to eat any candy.
- Check candy and novelty toys for potential choking hazards.
- Make sure packaging doesn't have any tears or tampering.
- Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
Motorists
- Slow down, especially in residential areas.
- Watch for children darting out from parked cars.
- Use child safety seats or seat belts when driving children around, and have children get out of cars on the curb side, not facing traffic.