Halloween Safety Tips for Kids

Halloween is just around the corner! Kids are getting excited to put on their costumes, hang out with other kids, and run around the neighborhood, getting as much candy as possible. What a blast! Of course, a love/hate thing is going on here. As parents, we love helping our kids have fun, and we hate what happens when they eat too much candy, get lost, or are afraid!

Halloween Safety Tips for Kids

We found a list of guidelines that are helpful from the FDA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Parents of young children should be with them the entire time they are trick or treating. Kids under 12 should not be out alone.
Make sure that the costumes say “flame resistant” on the label. If you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
Have your kids wear bright, reflective costumes or add strips of reflective tape to be more visible.
Make sure the costumes aren’t so long that there is the danger of tripping.
Have your kids wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks that can obscure their vision.
Test the makeup you plan to use in advance. Put a small amount on the arm of the person wearing it. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy.
Vibrantly colored makeup is popular at Halloween. Check the FDA’s list of color additives to see if the colors are FDA-approved. If they aren’t approved for their intended use, don’t use them. This is especially important for colored makeup around the eyes.
Don’t wear decorative (colored) contact lenses that appear to change how your eyes look due to the risk of eye injury unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and have been given instructions for how to use the lenses.

Tips for Safe Halloween Candy

How much candy is too much candy? Parents and kids disagree on this question! It’s important to lay some ground rules with your kids before they trick or treat.

Here is what we suggest:

Have the kids eat dinner or a healthy snack before heading out to avoid eating candy or treats before they get home.
Tell your kids you want them to have fun, including being safe. It’s not fun to get lost or sick from too much candy.
Tell your kids to wait till they get home to eat the candy so you can inspect it.
Tell your kids not to accept—or eat—anything that isn’t familiar and unwrapped.
Inspect candy for signs of tampering, unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.
Most kids have some experience with eating too much candy, so remind them that eating too much candy makes them feel sick!