Halloween is Saturday, and for kids it is one of the most exciting nights of the year. It is also one of the riskiest. Pediatric experts at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center have shared practical Halloween safety tips for kids covering costumes, walking routes, candy, burns and allergies. Here is what they recommend so your family can enjoy the night without a trip to the emergency room.
Halloween Safety Tips for Kids: Costumes and Walking
According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine release, pediatric emergency medicine physician Mary Beth Howard, M.D., M.Sc., notes a “national increase in pedestrian injuries and deaths around Halloween.” Her advice:
- Make a safety plan with your kids before trick-or-treating.
- Choose costumes that fit well and will not drag on the ground.
- Skip props such as swords, canes and long sticks, which can injure a child who falls.
- Use face paint instead of masks that block vision.
- Add reflective tape or glow sticks so drivers can see your child.
- Supervise younger children closely and stick to well-lit routes.
- Let adults or older teens carve pumpkins, and give younger kids safer jobs like painting.
Easing Fears: Help Anxious Kids Enjoy the Night
Not every child loves spooky. Joseph McGuire, Ph.D., a psychologist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, suggests easing kids in by pointing out fun decorations and reading age-appropriate Halloween books. Help children tell what is real from what is fake, and pick funny Halloween movies over scary ones. He also recommends practicing trick-or-treating beforehand, choosing a familiar area or one with smaller crowds, and keeping expectations realistic for your child’s age and development.
Candy Rules and Smart Swaps
Brandon Smith, M.D., a pediatrician and medical director of the Harriet Lane Clinic, advises agreeing on “candy rules” with your kids before Halloween. Shift the focus from candy to other fun activities, and serve a healthy meal before trick-or-treating so children eat fewer sweets afterward. If you are handing out treats, consider non-candy options such as glow sticks, stickers or pencils.
Fire and Burn Safety
Alejandro Garcia, M.D., director of the Children’s Center Pediatric Burn Program, recommends keeping children at least 3 feet away from firepits. Choose costumes, wigs and accessories labeled “flame resistant” or “flame retardant,” and keep kids away from open flames and hot steam. Use battery-operated candles in jack-o’-lanterns instead of real ones, and keep walkways and doorways clear of decorations to prevent burns and falls.
If a burn happens, the release recommends running it under cool water for 10 minutes. Do not use ice, oil, ointment or lotion. Cover the area with a loose, dry, clean cloth and seek medical care.
Allergy Alerts
Pediatric allergist and immunologist Jennifer Dantzer, M.D., says to read every label and inspect all treats, because ingredients can vary by treat size. Hold off on eating candy until trick-or-treating is over so there is time to check labels, and carry emergency medication so it is on hand. A candy trade with siblings, or swapping candy for non-food treats, can help kids with allergies feel included.
Make a Plan Together
The common thread in the Johns Hopkins advice is preparation. Talking through the evening before you leave, including which houses you will visit, where the group will stay together and what to do if someone feels scared, gives children a sense of control and reduces surprises. For younger kids, a practice walk around the block in costume can reveal problems early, like a mask that slips or a hem that trips. Older children heading out with friends should agree on a check-in time and carry a charged phone.
Parents who stay home to hand out candy can help too. Keep porch lights on, sweep wet leaves from steps, put away anything a child could trip over, and keep pets secured so they do not dart toward excited trick-or-treaters. Small touches like these make the neighborhood safer for every family.
A Quick Checklist Before You Head Out
Before you open the door, run through this list: costume fits and is flame resistant, reflective tape or glow sticks on, a charged phone, a route that is well lit, a plan for where to meet if you get separated, a meal in the belly and candy rules agreed on. For more seasonal family guidance, see our tips on helping kids adjust when daylight saving time ends this Sunday and our Halloween week streaming guide for movie night ideas.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice from your child’s doctor.
