Trick-or-treat! 12 safety tips to share with kids this Halloween

Emily Barnes, New York State Team
·2 min read

Grabbing a last minute costume or gearing up for a fun-filled Halloween night of trick-or-treating?

Before you head out the door Tuesday evening, make sure children and young adults understand road safety rules and check that their costumes, makeup and other accessories won't become a danger later on.

Here are some safety tips from the New York State Division of Consumer Protection and the Upstate New York Poison Center to keep in mind:

Before you leave the house

William Wells, 5, heads to his parents, while his brother, Samuel, 3, gets candy from a neighbor on Halloween night, Oct. 31, 2022. The brothers were trick or treating with their parents on Chestnut Hill Drive in Irondequoit.
William Wells, 5, heads to his parents, while his brother, Samuel, 3, gets candy from a neighbor on Halloween night, Oct. 31, 2022. The brothers were trick or treating with their parents on Chestnut Hill Drive in Irondequoit.

  • When purchasing costumes, look for fabrics labeled "flame resistant" and choose light-colored and bright ones to ensure visibility to motorists. Reflective tape can be used as trim for costumes, outerwear and treat bags.

  • Test face paint on a small portion of skin first to be sure it's safe for face use and always avoid the eye area.

  • Know your local government's curfew, designated hours or other rules, if applicable, and communicate them clearly to your children.

  • Be wary of costume contact lenses.

  • Costumes should have adequate ventilation, have eye holes large enough to allow full vision and should not limit hearing.

  • Don't use old or expired makeup and pay attention to any odors coming from it.

While you're trick-or-treating

  • Young children should be accompanied by an adult. If children will be trick-or-treating on their own, consider safety rules like staying with a group, reviewing their route, safety check-ins and agreeing on a time to return home.

  • Walk on sidewalks or paths when possible and cross the street on corners, use crosswalks and adhere to traffic signals.

  • Drivers should always look out for pedestrians and be careful when passing stopped vehicles in case they are stopping to let trick-or-treaters cross the road or unload passengers.

  • Don't chew or break open a glow stick. If exposed, wash out your mouth or eye with water for 15 minutes immediately after exposure.

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After you're done

  • Examine all treats and throw away any that are unwrapped, unsealed, repacked, mislabeled or seem suspicious.

  • Examine any toys or small items for young children and pay attention to small parts or items that can detach that may pose a choking hazard.

Emily Barnes is the New York State Team consumer advocate reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at ebarnes@gannett.com or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Halloween safety: 12 tips for your kids before they trick-or-treat