Halloween Safety Made Simple

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• Children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on an average day.
• Nearly half of fatal crashes on Halloween involve alcohol impairment.
• Make kids impossible to miss by adding reflective tape to costumes, give them a flashlight or glow stick, skip vision-blocking masks and keep to well-lit, familar routes.
• Drive like every block is a sidewalk. Slow down, turn headlights on, keep your phone away and plan a sober ride.

As neighborhoods gear up for trick-or-treating, Insuranceopedia has released an evidence-backed guide for keeping families safe this Halloween.

“Halloween can be both magical and chaotic for families; low-light, crowded sidewalks and non-stop doorbell ringing,” says Max Coupland, CEO of Insuranceopedia. “A little prep goes a long way; make kids visible, pet-proof your candy and decor, slow neighborhood driving, and you’ve eliminated most of the risks of Halloween.“

Kids Halloween Safety Tips

Street smarts

• Cross the street at corners and use crosswalks at all times. Always try to make eye contact with drivers before you cross.
• Put electronic devices, like phones, down so you are staying vigilant of what’s coming your way.
• Never run across the street.
• Always walk on sidewalks. If there are none, then walk facing traffic on the far left of the road.
• Children aged 12 and under should be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating. Older kids who are unsupervised should be told to stick to well-lit, familiar routes.

Be Seen (visibility)

• Add retroreflective tape/stickers to your kids costumes and treat bags. Choose light colours where possible. You can even give your child a flashlight or glow stick to carry with them.
• You can find visibility items for kids at places like Target or Walmart. Sporting Goods stores sell retroflective gear and hardware/craft stores usually sell reflective tape.

Costumes & Makeup

• If possible, opt for facepaint/makeup over Halloween masks. Masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision.
• Choose non-toxic products and avoid decorative contact lenses without an Rx.
• When choosing costumes, ensure they fit properly, to avoid trips and falls.

Candy Safety

• Check treats before allowing your kids to eat them, and look for signs of tampering.
• Kids should only eat candy that is in its original wrappers. Discard anything unwrapped, torn, or suspicious.
• Watch out for food allergies.

Pet Safety Halloween Tips

High-Risk Foods & Ingredients

• Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate, can be dangerous for dogs and cats. Keep candy bowls closed and up high. If your pet has ingested any chocolate, contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Xylitol is found in some sugar-free candies and it can be extremely toxic to pets. Even a small amount can be fatal. Store all sugar-free products out of reach. According to the ASPCA, urgent vet care is warranted if you believe your pet has eaten anything with xylitol in it.
• Raisins can trigger acute kidney failure in dogs, treat any ingestion as an emergency.

Decor Hazards

• Candles/jack-o-lanters can burn pets or start fires. Consider using LED alternatives.
• Electrical cords can cause mouth burns in pets if chewed. Prevent this by running wires through pet-proofing materials, like PVC.
• Fake cobwebs, used for spider-web decorating, can obstruct intenstines it eaten by pets. Keep them high up and out of reach.
• Glow sticks are typically non-toxic but taste extremely bitter to pets. Cats that bite them may drool or act frantic. It a glow stick is punctured by a pet, wipe residue off fur and offer a treat or milk to stop the reaction.
• Rotting pumpkins can cause upset stomachs for your pets. You should always promptly discard of moldy decor.

Pet costumes (only if they love it)

• While they may look cute, pet costumes can cause stress for your pets.
• Ensure there is no restriction of breathing, vision, movement, or barking/meowing.
• Avoid costumes with small/dangly pieces to prevent choking hazards or intestinal blockages.
• Check that the costume fits properly to avoid chaffing, red spots, or sores.
• Remove the costume immediately if your pet shows signs of distress (lip-licking, tucked tail, hiding, pacing, excessive vocalizing).

Pet Escapes & Anxiety

• During trick-or-treating peak times, create a quiet room away from the front door for pets.
• Give cats or dogs their favorite toys, like a long-lasting chew to keep them calm and happy.
• Use gates/crates as needed to ensure nervous pets don’t dart out of your home.
• Keep pet IDs/microchips current and consider a reflective collar in case your pet escapes and you need to locate them after-dark.

Pet Emergency Numbers

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center; (888) 426-4435 (24/7, fee may apply).
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (24/7, fee may apply).
• U.S. Poison Control (humans): 1-800-222-1222

Driving Safety On Halloween

• Slow your speed down in residential areas. Expect unpredictable movement from kids.
• Take extra looks at inersections, mediand, and curbs. The NHTSA recommends that drivers use headlights earlier in the day, to improve visibility and to spot children at greater distances.
• Put your phone away when driving, so you can concentrate on your surroundings.
• Enter/exit driveways with extreme caution (driveway back-overs are a known risk).
• The most popular time for trick-or-treaters is between 5:30-9:30pm. Drivers should be hyper-vigilant during this time window.
• Plan a sober ride if celebrating. Alcohol impairment spikes crash risk on Halloween.

Home Decoration Safety

• Swap real flames for battery tea lights in pumpkins and window displays, to prevent fires.
• Tape down cords in the home and keep walkways clear and lit to prevent fires.
• Place motion props/sound effects away from stairs and door thresholds to avoid startle-falls.

“Think of these tips as a pre-game checklist,” Coupland added. “A few small tweaks, like reflective tape and early headlights, turn a risky evening into a safe one.“