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How Do I Make Sure Halloween Is Safe For My Kids?

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LAURA WEATHERS, M.D., Correspondent

Published: October 26, 2007

Soon our streets and neighborhoods will be filled with ghosts, goblins, princesses and superheroes running door-to-door and collecting enough candy to feed a small country. Halloween is lots of fun, but it can be dangerous, as well.

Falls and pedestrian-car accidents are the among the leading safety hazards on Halloween, according to the National Safety Council.

To avoid potential risks, parents should monitor their children's holiday activities, from picking out costumes to overseeing trick-or-treat rounds. Some parents elect for their children to celebrate at parties with friends instead of going out on Halloween night.

If your children will be trick-or-treating this Halloween, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends several safety tips:

Costume selection: Bright or reflective costumes are better after dark. If the costume is dark, reflective tape can be added. Because masks can limit visibility, nontoxic makeup is a better option. Make sure costumes are fire resistant and fit well (not too long) to help prevent tripping. Give all children flashlights with fresh batteries to use at night so they can see better and be seen more clearly. That goes for accompanying adults, too!

Pumpkin carving: Pumpkins should be carved only by adults. Let children draw faces on the pumpkins and scoop out the seeds, and leave the actual cutting and candle-lighting to parents. Votive candles are a good choice for a pumpkin because they are less likely to tip over. Keep lighted candles and pumpkins on flat, sturdy surfaces, away from curtains and other flammables.

Home safety: Clear your yard and walkways of bikes, toys, garden hoses and anything else that a child might trip over in the dark. Replace all burned-out bulbs in outdoor light fixtures. Keep pets inside or restrained so they don't accidentally bite or jump on trick-or-treaters.

Ground rules: A parent or responsible adult should supervise all small children during their outings. If older children are going out alone, make sure you set down some strict ground rules. Have your youngsters set a time and place to meet with friends, and travel only in familiar areas along an established route. Remain with the group. Walk on the sidewalk. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the far left side of the road facing traffic. Never enter a stranger's home or car. Only go to well-lighted houses with porch lights on. Establish a return time, and don't eat any treats until returning home.

Treats: I remember my mother going through my Halloween bag with me, and tossing out anything that looked partially unwrapped or at all suspicious. I continue that today with my kids. (Remember that small, hard candies can pose a choking hazard for young children.) It's also a good idea to ration the candy so that your youngsters don't overindulge on sugar. Some people offer trick-or-treaters healthier options such as raisins, granola bars, popcorn and nonfood items like stickers and pencils. Maybe more of us could jump on that nutritional bandwagon.

Halloween should be filled with surprise and fun, and following some common-sense safety practices can help make the tradition more enjoyable for children and adults alike.

Dr. Weathers is associate professor and division chief of General Pediatrics at USF Health.

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