Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids with Halloween costumes, trick or treating, late nights, sweets and pumpkin carving but it can be overwhelming, or even hazardous too. As parents we always tend to see the danger everywhere, while our little ones are oblivious and Halloween, like Bonfire night, can be one of those celebrations where we see all the potential risks. However, don't worry, we have Halloween safety tips for you to ensure all the family can relax and enjoy Halloween.
We don't want to ruin all the fun with lots of worries and rules, but we do want to keep our little ones safe. We spoke to Dr José Costa, Senior Paediatric Consultant at The Children's Allergy Clinic to find out more about how reduce the risk at Halloween, especially if your little one has an allergy and still wants to join in with Trick or Treating fun. It doesn't matter if you have a baby, a toddler, a school goer or teenager, it is only natural to worry, and there are risks for all age groups but with a bit of sensible thinking, and a few precautions, hopefully (some) of those worries will fade.
Top Halloween Safety tips
Pumpkin carving
We love to see the brightly lit pumpkins adorning darkened doorsteps on all Hallows' eve, especially with the array of intricate and creative designs like creepy faces, animal shapes and even vomiting pumpkins, designed to scare, disgust or amuse. However, with pumpkin carving comes some risk because inevitably it involves sharp knives and, once finished, candles. So what can you do to ensure your little ones still carve their pumpkins, but do so safely?
Always supervise children: Even if they are a little bit older and think they can do it by themselves, always watch what they are doing and step in if you are concerned.
Use a pumpkin carving kit: This will include a little serrated knife and is less likely to get stuck in the pumpkin. It also allows for more control when carving your pumpkin.
Carve your pumpkins in a safe place: Make sure you have good lighting so you can see what you are doing and that the surface is sturdy. Also check that your little ones are not balancing on high stools, or are using a toddler tower, or they are in a place where they can't fall if they are trying to reach a higher surface like the kitchen worktop.
Keep your hands and tools dry: This will prevent slips when using sharp knives or carving tools.
Adults should do the carving: Especially when it involves knives, even kids' knives, but children can draw on the design first and of course, direct the adult as they carve.
Don't use real candles: Instead use an LED tea light to place inside your pumpkin. These are ideal because they prevent any potential burns but also last longer than a real candle that might fizzle out inside a damp pumpkin.
If you are worried about the dangers of carving pumpkins then there are some brilliant no-carve pumpkin ideas which look just as effective and of course eliminate the risk of hurting yourself with a knife or carving tool. Plus, also be aware that pumpkins can cause stains, so while kids might like getting mucky as they pull the pumpkin seeds and flesh out, ensure they are wearing children's aprons or old clothes, and you have covered carpets or furniture you want to protect.
If you are your little one does have an accident while carving a pumpkin, then Skills Training Group advise that you need to "apply direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. Rinse the wound under running tap water for 5 minutes. Soak a gauze pad or cloth in water, or use an alcohol-free wipe to dab the wound. It is best to avoid using antiseptic cream at this point as it may damage the skin. Gently pat the area dry with a cloth; don’t use cotton wool, as the material can become trapped in the wound. Apply a sterile dressing, such as a plaster or bandage, and continue to apply pressure if the injury is still bleeding."
Halloween costumes
Who doesn't love dressing up for Halloween and there are some great Halloween costumes for all the family. However, while the costumes look great, do consider how safe they are. Are they flammable? Do they meet UK safety standards? Are there any parts which could be a trip hazard? Can little ones see through masks? Also consider how warm they are for an autumn night, or if they might cause overheating. Child Matters also advises that parents teach their children to 'stop, drop, roll' if they are wearing a Halloween costume in case any part catches fire.
Keep away from naked flames: As the Child Accident Prevention Trust says, "Halloween costumes are highly flammable" and so it is important to ensure little ones do not get near to any source of fire, such as a tea light in a pumpkin, sparklers, bonfire or candles.
Check costume labels for a UKCA or CE mark: While these marks don't mean that the costume is not flammable, and you still need to be extremely cautious around flames, it does mean it has been fire tested and should, if it were to catch alight, burn more slowly.
Layer up: Of course October evenings can be chilly so layers under the costume will keep them warm (especially if they don't want to wear a winter coat over their costume) but also having layers against the skin will protect the skin from burns if the worst was to happen and their costume did catch fire.
Buy costumes from a reputable retailer: This is another way to hopefully purchase a safer costume which has been tested to UK safety standards. Plus, it is less likely to be flimsy and you might avoid hazards such as bits that fall off, and could become a choking hazard for younger children. Trading Standards advise to "always buy from legitimate sellers and check labelling for safety markings, such as CE markings."
Avoid masks: Of course masks are fun and do create a great effect, but before venturing out in the dark, ensure they don't limit visibility. In might be safer to use a non-toxic Halloween face paintwhile trick or treating.
Ensure the correct size: Halloween costumes can become a hazard if they are too big and there is excess fabric, or an overly long skirt or cape for your little one to trip on, especially if they are out in the dark.
Trick or Treating
There is no right age for trick or treating and if your little one wants to go out this year for the first time then keep it simple and maybe just visit your (pre warned!) neighbours, especially if they are still just a toddler. Inevitably though, as they get bigger, children will want to go out trick or treating and you don't want to be the one to ruin their fun by saying no. However, with a few simple rules and plans, everyone should have a fun and safe evening.
Ensure you are visible: Halloween costumes and winter coats can sometimes be quite dark in colour and therefore hard to see in the dark. If you are going out trick or treating then wear something reflective to make sure you can be seen, especially on the road. You could put reflective arm bands on everyone or carry glow sticks, and make sure you have a torch.
Road safety: Skills Training Group say, "a 2018 study by Churchill Insurance revealed that the risk of children being involved in a traffic collision on the 31st of October increased by 75%." Kids can get very excited when out and about trick or treating and even the most road safety conscious child may forget themselves so reinforce the rules of the road before leaving the house. Also ensure you are with your little ones when they cross the road.
Stay in groups: Obviously if you are taking young children out trick or treating then they will be with you, but older children who perhaps already walk to school on their own, might ask to go with friends. Make sure they go in a group and plan the route before they go so you know where they will be. You can also give them a phone so they can contact you if they need to.
Check before knocking: If someone has displayed a sign on their door that they don't want trick or treaters then tell your children not to knock on that door. Also check pathways for trip hazards and even candles before rushing to knock on the next door.
Halloween sweets and treats
We know Halloween is not a night for healthy eating and it is likely that your little one might indulge in a few too many sweets. This isn't the end of the world but there are some potential hazards to consider with Halloween sweets.
Choking hazards: A lot of the treats kids collect include hard candy sweets or lollipops and these can all be a choking hazard for little ones. It is up to you to decide what is safe and what is not and we advise checking their trick or treating haul before they dive in.
Wait until you get home: Running or walking while eating is another choking hazard and so it is advisable to make your little ones wait until they get home before they tuck into their Halloween sweets. This will also give you a chance to check what they have collected.
Be aware of allergies: If you are accepting food made by strangers such as cakes or Halloween biscuits be cautious of allergies. It will not be possible to know the ingredients for sure and if your little one has any food intolerances or allergies it is best to avoid homemade food, or anything that is not wrapped with a label listing the ingredients or allergens. Dr Costa advises, "very young children out Trick or Treating with food allergies should always be supervised by an adult with first aid training and their medication at hand in case of emergency." He also adds, "ahead of Trick or Treating, set clear ground rules, which should include double checking the ingredients of everything your child is offered and bringing treats home to check they are safe to eat first, rather than eating them whilst out. Teach your child to always wash their hands before eating any of the treats, not to touch food that isn’t in packaging and to avoid homemade treats where the ingredients are unknown."
Double check ingredients: Dr Costa notes that if your child has an allergy "it is important to remember that ingredients can change in branded packaged sweets and treats. Fun-size versions can have different recipes as well as similar-looking supermarket own-branded versions. When put under pressure or in excitement, it can be easy for your child to assume that everything will be okay, especially if it is a food they think they have seen or eaten before."
Carry their EpiPen: If your little one has an allergy Dr. Costa says, "your child must always carry their Adrenaline Auto-Injector and emergency contact details in the form of a medical bracelet or a card in a clear wallet on a lanyard around their neck. It’s also important that you know and trust everyone your child is Trick or Treating with and that they all know about their allergies."
Allergy friendly treats at home: If you do have a little one with allergies then they might feel left out if they can't collect the same sweets as their friends or siblings. Having some treats at home like stickers, glow sticks or Halloween gifts is a good idea as a replacement for sweets. Also, they might come in handy if you get trick or treaters at your door with allergies. Dr. Costa advises, "arranging a get-together with friends who understand your child’s allergies can also be an excellent alternative to Trick or Treating. A safe Halloween party at home where all the food has been safely prepared and checked can be just as much fun (and warmer!)."
Teal Pumpkin Project: Dr Costa explains "the ‘Teal Pumpkin Project’ is a new initiative which has been brought out in the UK to help raise awareness for food allergies at Halloween. Households can display a teal-coloured pumpkin on their windows to show that they are food allergy aware and have non-edible choices for trick-or-treaters."
Halloween decorations
Just like Christmas decorations, it is great fun to decorate your home at Halloween. With lots of fun Halloween decorations available such as door wreaths, bunting, window decorations, and ornaments there are lots to choose from, however, there are some things to think about before decorating your home.
Check for button batteries: Lots of Halloween decorations light up or make creepy sound effects which is great, but this might mean they are powered by button batteries. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children says, "although a child may not choke if they swallow a button battery, the batteries can do serious internal damage. When combined with saliva, the electrical current from the battery produces caustic soda that can burn through the throat or stomach and can cause further damage to other internal organs."
Avoid open flames: If you are decorating your house with candles try to use LED ones instead of real candles. With halloween costumes and potentially flammable decorations such as dried autumnal flowers for your autumn decor, real candles could be a fire hazard.
Don't overload electric sockets: It's great to light up your house, both inside and outside, for Halloween and it might help those little trick or treaters walking up your front path avoid any trips, but don't overload any plug sockets and risk a fire. Similarly, don't drape decorations or fabric over lightbulbs because this too can be a fire hazard.
Careful with strings and ribbons: We love spooky bunting but just make sure it is out of reach of little hands who could pull it down and become tangled in it, or worse, get it caught around their necks. Just like baby proofing your house, ensure your decorations are safe for babies.
Halloween safety tips for pets
As very much loved members of the family, don't forget to think about keeping your pets safe this Halloween. Being close to Guy Fawkes night there might be a few early fireworks which will cause pets to panic, so try to keep them inside. While it might be sweet to dress up the family dog in a Halloween costume for pets, think about if walking busy streets with lights and squealing children might be too much for them. Also, with all the Halloween food around remember dogs and cats cannot eat chocolate and other food items suitable for humans so make sure you keep any Halloween sweets away from them to avoid potential poisoning.
If you are welcoming trick or treaters to your door then make sure you keep your pets away from the front door. You might love your dog or cat, but other children might be frightened and you don't want to upset any little witches or wizards who visit you, or worse risk any bites if your pets get scared.
Why is Halloween safety important?
Skills Training Group say, "Halloween hazards have become a reality for many over the years, but they can be prevented by taking the proper precautions. Health and safety risks associated with decorations, costumes and treats are all preventable by being extra careful and vigilant." As with any celebration, kids will get excited and when they are excited they often forget the simple rules which keep them safe, such as road safety, not running with food, or if they have any allergy, to check ingredients. As the grown ups, while we still want to have fun with our little ones, it is our responsibility to ensure that they are safe and be prepared for any potential hazards to ensure everyone enjoys the day and night without any accidents.
What is safe for kids to do during trick or treating?
As Kids Health suggests, it is "best to trick-or-treat with family members or friends" and also ensure you are all wearing visible clothing or carrying a torch. If your little one is a bit younger maybe take them to see a neighbour, friend or family member in their costume so they feel part of the fun. Alternatively, a little Halloween party for toddlers would be a safe way to celebrate without braving the dark, chilly streets and you can play Halloween games or make some creepy crafts. Whether you visit one house or trawl the whole town, following road safety rules, dressing appropriately for the weather, waiting to eat sweets at home and sticking together will mean a safer night of trick or treating for everyone.
About the experts
Dr José Costa is a senior consultant paediatrician and media commentator, specialising in the latest research, medical guidance and insight on childhood food allergies, Rhinitis (Hay Fever), Eczema, Asthma and associated conditions.
Skills Training Group are the UK’s leading first aid training, electrical and heating courses for adults, contractors & companies alike.
Laura Healy is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum-of-two girls and loves writing about all things parenting, she is particularly interested in the toddler years and eco-friendly baby products, as well as children’s literature. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and has published short stories in the UK and Ireland, as well as previously writing freelance for her local paper.