Staying Safe During Halloween: Tips for Trick-or-Treaters and Drivers

Halloween has a magic all its own, porch lights flicker, dry leaves crunch, and kids race down sidewalks in a blur of capes and laughter. It’s a night built for memories. Still, amid all that excitement, safety can slip. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween as on any other night of the year.

Whether you’re out walking with your kids or just driving home from work, here’s how to make sure the only thing scary this Halloween is the costumes.

What Makes Halloween So Risky?

Once dusk settles, everything changes. Streetlights cast long shadows, kids disappear behind masks, and dark costumes blend into the night. Add the buzz of excitement, kids darting across the street, parents chatting from the curb and visibility becomes a real issue.

Drivers have their own distractions: glowing decorations, crowded roads, maybe a phone buzzing with party directions. Even a second of inattention can put someone in danger. And let’s not forget uneven sidewalks, open flames in jack-o’-lanterns, and piles of leaves that turn slick after rain. It’s easy to see why this single night deserves extra care.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that most Halloween pedestrian crashes happen between 6 and 9 p.m., right when the night hits its stride.

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

Halloween should be about costumes and candy, not close calls. A few small steps can make a big difference.

1. Plan Your Route

Choose familiar streets with good lighting and sidewalks that aren’t cluttered with decorations or debris. If your neighborhood is dark, bring small flashlights or clip-on lights to make everyone easier to spot.

2. Set Ground Rules

Stick together, stay on sidewalks, and cross at marked crosswalks only. Remind kids not to run between parked cars or into driveways.

3. Make Costumes Visible

A little reflective tape can do wonders. Add glow sticks or light-up wristbands for an extra layer of visibility they’re cheap, fun, and they work.

4. Keep It Comfortable

Masks that block vision or shoes that pinch can quickly ruin the night. Face paint and sneakers are a much safer combo.

5. Inspect the Candy

Check everything before eating. Toss anything unwrapped or that looks off. For younger kids, skip hard candies and gum that could cause choking.

Quick fact: Children are twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle on Halloween a stat that’s hard to ignore. Visibility matters more than the perfect costume.

How Drivers Can Stay Safe on Halloween Night

If you’re behind the wheel, assume kids will pop out from anywhere because they usually do.

1. Slow down. Five miles an hour can make the difference between stopping in time and a tragedy.
2. Stay off your phone. Navigation and texts can wait. Eyes on the road.
3. Turn on headlights early. Even before sunset, it helps everyone see more clearly.
4. Watch driveways and intersections. Kids often cross mid-block without warning.
5. Don’t drink and drive. If you’re heading to a party, line up a designated driver or rideshare in advance.

The CDC notes that alcohol is a factor in nearly half of fatal crashes on Halloween. A sobering reason to hand over the keys if you’ve had even one drink.

How Homeowners Can Prevent Accidents at Their Doorstep

Even if you’re not going out, your home is part of the neighborhood celebration. Keeping it safe takes just a few thoughtful tweaks.

• Clear the walkways. Move hoses, cords, or pumpkins that could trip someone. Sweep away slick leaves or acorns.
• Light the path. Use porch lights or solar lanterns so kids can see every step.
• Keep pets secured. Even gentle dogs get jumpy with all the noise and costumes.
• Avoid open flames. LED candles look just as good inside pumpkins and won’t start a fire.

For more ideas on keeping your home accident-free this season, see Home Safety During Holidays: Tips for Decorating and Handling Festive Hazards.

Costume and Candy Safety at a Glance

Your child’s costume should look great but it should also be safe.

• Pick flame-resistant fabrics that won’t catch near candles.
• Use non-toxic face paint instead of masks that block vision.
• Skip long capes, dangling fabric, or heavy props that cause trips.
• Hand out sealed, store-bought candy or glow-stick toys for allergy-safe fun.

It’s also a good moment to talk about basic fire safety. StaySafe.org’s Fire Safety for Kids offers easy, practical ways to teach those lessons without scaring little ones.

Safety After Dark: Tips for Teens and Adults

Older kids want independence and that’s part of growing up. Still, a few simple boundaries help everyone relax.

• Set a curfew and check-in times before they head out.
• Stick to groups and familiar routes.
• Skip shortcuts through alleys or poorly lit areas.
• Plan the ride home. No one, teen or adult, should ride with a driver who’s been drinking.

Halloween is also big for adult parties. If you’re going out, set your rideshare plans before the costumes go on.

Looking Ahead: Making Each Halloween Safer

Every year, new safety trends emerge, reflective candy buckets, smart lighting, even GPS-enabled wearables for kids. They’re clever additions that make trick-or-treating a little less nerve-wracking. At StaySafe.org, we’ll keep tracking those innovations so families can enjoy the night without worry.