Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year for kids, and one of the busiest for emergency rooms. Most injuries are preventable with a little planning, and with Halloween falling on a Saturday in 2026, more families will be out, and for longer.
This guide covers safety for trick-or-treaters, parents, drivers, party hosts and pet owners.
Why Halloween needs extra care
The biggest danger on Halloween isn’t strangers or tampered candy. It’s traffic.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics, using more than 40 years of federal crash data, found the risk of a pedestrian death was 43% higher on Halloween than on comparison nights. Children aged 4 to 8 faced about 10 times the usual risk. The most dangerous hour was around 6 p.m., when sunset, the evening commute and peak trick-or-treating overlap.
Other common Halloween injuries include:
- Trips and falls from long costumes, masks and dark steps
- Cuts from pumpkin carving
- Burns from candles and costumes catching fire
- Allergic reactions to candy
Safety tips for trick-or-treaters
Be seen
- Choose bright costumes, or add reflective tape to dark ones and to treat bags
- Carry a flashlight or wear glow sticks
- Put a small light or reflective band on younger kids’ wrists and shoes
See clearly
- Use face paint or makeup instead of masks, which can block side vision
- If you use a mask, make sure the eyeholes are large and it stays in place
- Make sure hats and wigs don’t slide over the eyes
Walk safely
- Use sidewalks. If there are none, walk facing traffic, as far from the road as possible
- Cross at corners and crosswalks, never between parked cars
- Look left, right and left again before crossing, and make eye contact with drivers
- Walk, don’t run, from house to house
- Put phones away while walking
Costume safety
- Hem costumes so they don’t drag
- Wear comfortable shoes that fit, not adult heels or oversized boots
- Look for “flame resistant” on costume labels and keep kids away from candles and fire pits
- Choose soft, flexible props instead of anything sharp or realistic-looking
Tips for parents
Plan the night
- Decide on a route in a familiar, well-lit area
- Set a time to be home
- Make sure kids know your phone number and address
- Write your number on a card or wristband for young children
Supervision by age
| Age | Suggested approach |
|---|---|
| Under 8 | An adult walks with them to every door |
| 8–12 | An adult nearby, or older kids in a group with an agreed route and check-ins |
| 13+ | Groups of friends, phones charged, a clear curfew, and a plan to call if anything feels wrong |
Every child and neighborhood is different. Most families keep closer supervision than they think they need.
Talk about rules before you go
- Only go to houses with porch lights on
- Stay on the porch, never go inside a stranger’s home
- Stay with your group
- Don’t eat anything until an adult checks it
Candy and allergy safety
Reports of deliberately tampered Halloween candy are very rare, but it’s still smart to check.
- Inspect treats at home under good light
- Throw away anything unwrapped, torn or homemade from someone you don’t know
- Cut grapes or small hard candies for toddlers, or skip them; they’re choking hazards
- Ration candy over days to avoid stomachaches
Food allergies
Halloween is hard for kids with food allergies. Many popular candies contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat, and “fun size” packs sometimes have different ingredients from full-size versions.
- Read every label, even for candy your child has had before
- Trade allergen candy for safe treats or small toys at home
- Look for teal pumpkins, which mean a house offers non-food treats (part of the Teal Pumpkin Project from the nonprofit FARE)
- Carry epinephrine if prescribed, and make sure the adults with your child know how to use it
Cannabis edibles
In states where cannabis is legal, edibles can look like candy. Keep any edibles locked away from children, and if a child may have eaten one, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 if symptoms are serious.
Tips for drivers
Drivers play the biggest role in preventing Halloween tragedies.
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods, especially between 5 and 9 p.m.
- Expect the unexpected: kids may dart out between parked cars or cross mid-block
- Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully
- Turn your headlights on early, even before full dark
- Put your phone away completely
- Don’t drink and drive. Halloween night has a high share of crashes involving impaired drivers. Plan a sober ride or use a rideshare if you’re going to a party
Note: On a Saturday Halloween, there’s less commuter traffic, but more party traffic later at night. Be extra alert after 9 p.m.
Tips for households handing out candy
- Clear your path, steps and porch of hoses, toys and decorations
- Light your walkway and steps well
- Use battery-operated candles in jack-o’-lanterns instead of real flames
- Keep cords and fog machines away from walkways
- Keep pets inside, away from the door
Pumpkin carving safety
- Adults should do the cutting; kids can draw the design and scoop out the inside
- Use a carving kit or a small serrated knife rather than a large kitchen knife
- Work on a dry, stable surface with good light
- Carve away from your body and keep your free hand out of the path of the blade
Party safety for hosts
If you’re hosting an adult party:
- Offer plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks
- Help guests get home safely; be ready to call a rideshare
- Keep candles and fog machines away from costumes and curtains
- Keep a first-aid kit handy
For kids’ parties, check guests’ food allergies in advance and label snacks.
Pet safety
Halloween can be stressful and dangerous for pets.
- Chocolate and xylitol (a sweetener in some gum and candy) are toxic to dogs
- Keep candy bowls and wrappers out of reach
- Keep pets inside and away from the door to prevent escapes
- Only use pet costumes that don’t restrict breathing, movement or sight
- Make sure pets have ID tags or microchips
If your pet eats something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Fire safety
- Choose flame-resistant costumes
- Use LED candles or flashlights in pumpkins and decorations
- Keep decorations away from heaters, lamps and open flames
- Make sure exits aren’t blocked by decorations
- Check that smoke alarms work
What to do in an emergency
- Call 911 for any serious injury, a missing child, a fire or a crash
- Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 for suspected poisoning, including edibles or medicine
- If a child gets separated, call 911 right away and give a description of their costume. Taking a photo of kids in costume before you leave helps
Quick safety checklist before you head out
- ☐ Costume is bright or has reflective tape
- ☐ Mask doesn’t block vision, or face paint used instead
- ☐ Shoes fit and costume doesn’t drag
- ☐ Flashlight or glow sticks for each child
- ☐ Phone charged, contact card in your child’s pocket
- ☐ Route planned and home time agreed
- ☐ Photo taken of each child in costume
- ☐ Epinephrine packed if needed
Safety for older kids going out alone
When kids are old enough to go with friends, agree on clear rules:
- Stay with the group the whole time
- Stick to the agreed streets
- Check in by text at set times
- Never get into a car with someone you don’t know
- Call home if plans change or something feels wrong
Teens should also know that pranks like egging houses or smashing pumpkins can lead to police involvement and fines.
Final thoughts
Most Halloween dangers come from darkness, traffic and costumes, not the scary stuff on TV. Make kids visible, walk with them, check candy, and slow down if you’re driving. A few minutes of planning keeps the night about fun.
