Halloween Safety Tips for Kids and Toddlers

Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year for kids. They get to dress up, walk around the neighborhood and collect candy. But it also comes with some risks, like dark streets, busy drivers, costumes that trip and candy that is not safe for little ones. A little planning can keep the night fun and safe for the whole family.

Below are simple Halloween safety tips for parents of toddlers and young children. They come from trusted sources like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the FDA and Safe Kids Worldwide.

Choose a Safe Costume

• Make sure it fits. The AAP says costumes and shoes should fit well. Costumes should be short enough so your child does not trip.
• Pick bright colors. Choose bright or light colored costumes. Add reflective tape or stickers to the costume and treat bag so drivers can see your child.
• Look for "flame resistant" on the label. The AAP suggests checking costume labels for this.
• Use face paint instead of a mask. Safe Kids says masks can block a child's vision. Makeup or a fun hat is a safer choice.
• Test makeup first. Try a little on a small patch of your child's skin a few days before. This helps you catch a rash or allergic reaction early.
• Skip decorative contact lenses. The AAP says not to use them without an eye exam and a prescription. If they do not fit well, they can cause serious eye problems.

Need costume ideas? In What Do You Want To Be For Halloween, the singer has no costume yet and thinks about being a monster with one eye, a pirate with an eye patch, a princess with a tiara, a skeleton, a witch with a black cat or a mummy wrapped in strips of cloth. Play it with your child and pick a costume together. Then check it with the tips above.

For more ways to prevent trips and bumps, read our post on fall prevention in toddlers and young children.

Stay Safe While Trick or Treating

• Always go with young children. Safe Kids says to join kids under age 12 when they trick or treat.
• Bring a light. Give your child a flashlight or glow stick so they can see and be seen.
• Use the sidewalk. Stay on well lit streets. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic, as far to the side as you can.
• Cross at corners. Use crosswalks when you can. Teach kids to look left, right and left again, and to never run into the street or cross between parked cars.
• Do not assume cars will stop. Drivers may have trouble seeing trick or treaters in the dark. Put phones away and keep your eyes on the road and your child.
• Only visit homes with a porch light on. The AAP says a well lit home and path are the safest choice.

Check the Candy Before Eating

• Eat a meal first. Give your child a good meal or snack before you go out, so they are less likely to eat candy along the way.
• Wait until you get home. Sort and check all treats at home before your child eats any.
• Throw away anything that looks wrong. The FDA says to look for tiny holes, tears in wrappers or strange colors. Throw away anything that is unwrapped or looks suspicious. Tampering is rare, but it can happen.
• Watch for choking hazards. The AAP says babies and toddlers should not have hard candy, gum, popcorn, small candies like jellybeans, gummy candy or anything with whole nuts. Wrappers, stickers and small toys can also be a choking risk.
• Check for allergies. If your child has a food allergy, the FDA says to read the label on every treat.
• Save some for later. The AAP suggests handing out a few treats a day in the days and weeks after Halloween.

For more about foods that are safe for little ones, see our post on why babies put everything in their mouth.

Pumpkin Carving and Home Safety

• Let kids decorate, not carve. The AAP says small children can draw a face on the pumpkin with markers. Leave the carving and cutting to adults.
• Use a flameless light. A battery candle, flashlight or glow stick is safer than a real candle inside a pumpkin.
• Clear your porch and yard. Put away hoses, toys and bikes so no one trips.
• Keep pets away from the door. A pet may jump on or bite a trick or treater, so keep them in a safe spot. Read more in our post on house pets and baby safety.

Help Little Ones Who Get Scared

Masks, spooky decorations and loud "boos" can scare toddlers. That is normal. Talk about what they will see before you go. Let them know that the monsters and ghosts are just people in costumes. If your child is scared, it is fine to go home early or hand out candy from your own door instead.

Songs can help too. In Happy Halloween, the penguins sing about witches, pirates, mummies, ghosts and black cats. The song says "You don't have to be afraid, it's the best time to make friends." In Scary Spider, the little penguins are scared of a spider at first, but then they see it just wants to play hide and seek. And Monster Go Away turns a scary monster into a new friend to play with. For a big dose of courage, try Be Brave, which tells kids "It's ok to be afraid, we all feel the same some days."

For more songs like these, see our list of not so spooky Halloween songs for toddlers. You can also watch our fun Halloween songs and cartoons on our music page. If Halloween leads to bad dreams, read about nightmares and night terrors in toddlers.

Questions About Halloween Safety for Kids

At what age can kids trick or treat alone?

Safe Kids says adults should go with kids under age 12. Older kids who are ready to go without an adult should stay in groups and in familiar, well lit areas.

What candy is not safe for toddlers?

The AAP says babies and toddlers should not have hard candy, gum, popcorn, small candies, gummy candy or anything with whole nuts. These can cause choking.

Should I check my child's Halloween candy?

Yes. Check all treats at home before your child eats them. Throw away anything that is unwrapped, torn, has tiny holes or looks strange.

Is a mask or face paint safer?

Face paint is usually safer because masks can block a child's vision. Test the makeup on a small patch of skin first.

How can I help my toddler see in the dark on Halloween?

Give your child a flashlight or glow stick, and add reflective tape to the costume and treat bag so drivers can see them too.

This post is for general information only. It is not medical advice. If you have questions about your child's health or safety, please talk to your doctor.