Top Safety Tips Before Kids Hit the Streets on Halloween

October 30, 2026

Meghna Peesapati, DO
Pediatric Resident (PGY-3)

The good news is that a few simple precautions can help keep the evening fun instead of frightening. Before your kids head out the door, remember three things: Plan ahead, stay bright and stick together.

Stay visible and walk safely
Visibility is one of the most important parts of Halloween safety. Children may be difficult for drivers to see after dark, especially when they are wearing costumes made with black or other dark-colored materials.

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the risk of a pedestrian fatality was 43% higher on Halloween evening than during comparable evening hours one week before and one week after the holiday. Children ages 4 to 8 faced the greatest increase in risk, and the danger peaked around 6 p.m., when many families begin trick-or-treating.

To help keep your children safe, have them carry a flashlight or glow stick to make them more visible to motorists. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also recommends bright, reflective costumes or reflective tape to improve visibility.

Children should use sidewalks whenever they are available and cross streets only at intersections or marked crosswalks. Remind them to look left, right and left again before crossing – and it’s always best to walk, not run.

Parents and older children should also put phones and other distractions away while walking. Everyone needs to pay attention to the road, even when traveling with a group.

Check costumes before Halloween
Completing a fit check before Halloween can also help avoid any potential safety issues before they arise. Have your child try on the entire costume to make sure everything fits comfortably.

Costumes should not drag on the ground or create a tripping hazard. Masks, hats and other accessories should not block a child’s vision (nontoxic face paint can be substituted for a mask, if needed).

Children should wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes, even if those shoes do not perfectly match the costume. Costume footwear can be difficult to walk in and may increase the risk of trips and falls.

Consider leaving wands, toy lightsabers and other extra props at home. Keeping children’s hands free makes it easier for them to carry a treat bucket and, for younger children, hold an adult’s hand.

Families should also be cautious with decorative contact lenses. These lenses can cause scratches, infections and other serious eye injuries when they are used without an examination, proper fitting and instructions from an eye care professional.

Make a plan for staying together
Younger children should always be accompanied by a trusted adult while trick-or-treating.

If older children are going out with friends, agree on their route before they leave. Set a specific time and place for check-ins and establish when they are expected to return home.

Make sure each child has a fully charged phone and knows how to reach a parent or another trusted adult. Children should stay with their group and should never enter an unfamiliar home or vehicle, particularly homes that don’t have any lights on.

Inspect treats before children eat them
Give children a healthy, well-balanced dinner before they go trick-or-treating. Eating beforehand may make it easier for them to wait until their treats have been checked at home. Families managing food allergies may want to bring safe treats with them so children have an option they can enjoy during the evening.

Once they return home, an adult should inspect treats and throw away anything that is open, damaged, improperly wrapped or looks unusual. Parents of young children should also remove potential choking hazards, including gum, hard candy, peanuts and small toys.

If your child has a food allergy, read ingredient labels and discard anything that contains or may contain a known allergen. Ingredients can vary by product size and may change, so do not assume a treat is safe simply because your child has eaten a similar product before.

Neighbors can help make Halloween more inclusive by offering stickers, glow sticks, fidget toys or other nonfood items in a separate container. Through Food Allergy Research & Education’s Teal Pumpkin Project, a teal pumpkin placed outside a home lets families know that nonfood treats are available.

Halloween safety does not have to take the fun out of the festivities. A bright costume, a planned route, trusted supervision and a quick check of the treat bucket can help the night go smoothly.

So grab the glow sticks, lace up those comfortable shoes and get ready for some Halloween fun. Plan ahead, stay bright, and stick together to have a safe and spooktacular Halloween!