I’ll never forget the year my friends and I decided we were too old to trick-or-treat with our parents. I must have been 11 or 12, and the thrill of roaming the neighborhood in a group without an adult trailing behind felt like pure independence and being a true “big kid.” But looking back, I can only imagine how worried my mom must have been, watching me head out into the dark with nothing but a pillowcase and a flimsy glow stick.
Now that my own kids are getting older and starting to make Halloween plans with friends instead of sticking close to me, I finally understand that pit in her stomach. While Halloween should be all about the fun, it also comes with safety concerns that change as kids grow. That’s why I sat down with parenting safety expert Cathy Pedrayes, who shared 10 of her best Halloween safety tips for toddlers and kids. Whether your little ones are just starting to trick-or-treat or your big kids are begging for a bit more freedom this year, here’s what parents should keep in mind for a safe and fun October 31.
MEET THE EXPERT
Cathy Pedrayes, Author and Parenting Safety Expert
Talk to kids about Halloween safety in an approachable way
Any parent knows that being concerned about your child’s safety comes from a place of caring and love. We all want our kids to have fun and feel assured that they will be safe on Halloween. “The goal is to have a positive conversation where they’re engaged, and one way to do that is to get their opinions on real-life scenarios,” Pedrayes explained. For example, can they see well in a dark room? What helps them see better? A flashlight? Glow sticks? Now we can take this same scenario and apply it to walking at night, trick-or-treating, and what cars can and cannot see. Helping our toddlers and kids understand the why behind our safety concerns is a great way to stay in the conversation zone versus the lecture zone.
Use age-appropriate technology for additional peace of mind
As parents, we all know the tug-of-war between wanting to protect our kids and wanting to give them the independence they’re asking for. Halloween, with its crowded streets and groups of kids running from door to door, tends to amplify that worry quite a bit. Especially if you’re juggling an older kid who doesn’t want to be slowed down and a younger one who needs more handholding. Luckily, there are age-appropriate devices that make it easier to give them freedom while still keeping peace of mind.
Several of the moms on our team have put their trust in the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3, which allows multiple caregivers to easily monitor their child’s real-time location using the GizmoHub app and call or text them at any time. (Plus, a smartwatch can’t get lost in the trick-or-treat bucket, unlike small mobile tracking devices.) Using the GizmoHub app, you can set a boundary alert around a certain area, and if your child slips too far ahead, you’ll get pinged. Kids can call or text parent-approved contacts (contacts are set up and managed by guardians only through the GizmoHub app), so they can reach you or a trusted adult when in need. Kids can also press the easy-to-use SOS button feature that immediately notifies you of their location on the GizmoHub app.
On a night like Halloween, this provides peace of mind even when they’re darting from house to house in costume and blending in with a crowd. Unlike a smartphone, the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 is designed specifically with young kids in mind—simple and distraction-free, with no internet access. As kids get older, they naturally start craving independence, and the Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 bridges that gap perfectly. Kids get the freedom to explore while parents stay confidently connected. It’s the ideal first step into technology—enough to keep them reachable, but without the smartphone features young children aren’t quite ready for yet.
Choose a safe Halloween costume for toddlers and kids
When selecting a Halloween costume for your toddler or kid, it’s important to keep a few safety tips in mind. Be sure to choose outfits that are made of flame-resistant material, buy the proper size for your child to avoid trips and falls, ensure the costume is visible in the dark (or, if not, add visibility with reflective tape, glow sticks, etc.), and pair the costume with comfortable shoes that fit your little.
“Try the costumes on beforehand to double-check that your child can see and hear in them,” Pedrayes noted. “Make sure that your children are careful with the wires from the decorations that can lead to trips and falls.”
Many Halloween masks can obstruct a toddler or child’s vision and breathing, so opting for face paint instead is generally a safer option. If you do use face paint, purchase a non-toxic and hypoallergenic kit and make sure to test the face paint before Halloween to ensure your kiddo doesn’t experience an allergic reaction. “Be mindful of allergies, not only with food but also with face paint and wigs. It might be worth spot-testing to check for any reactions, and opt for non-toxic formulas before committing to a whole night of wearing,” Pedrayes added.
Provide reflective gear and flashlights
Pedrayes suggests that if kids will be out after dark this Halloween season, parents should add reflective tape, glow sticks, or light-up shoes to their costumes. Or have them (or an accompanying adult) carry a flashlight. “With daylight savings approaching, it’s getting darker earlier,” Pedrayes explained.” For children who might be walking to a friend’s house or trick-or-treating in the dark, light-up shoes make a perfect addition to any Halloween costume for extra safety.”
Set guidelines for independent trick-or-treaters
While trick-or-treating, stick to familiar and well-lit neighborhoods and set a time limit so everyone in your family knows how long you’ll be gathering candy and treats that night. “In addition, you should also align on a curfew and a route that you’re OK with your children going on,” Pedrayes said.
When going door-to-door, make sure children never go inside anyone’s house, and make sure to stick with your group. While it’s an “unofficial” Halloween rule, it is considered best to only trick-or-treat at homes with the porch light on, or if the home has outdoor Halloween decor. These are usually the universal signs that the homeowner is ready to hand out treats, but remember to stay at the door.
For parents and teens, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and realize that your phones can cause distractions. If you need to check your phone while trick-or-treating, stop at a safe spot and ensure you’re continuing to supervise toddlers and kids while doing so.
Practice safe outdoor walking habits
With so many kids out and about attending Halloween parties or trick-or-treating during spooky season, don’t forget the general road safety rules, like staying on sidewalks and not crossing between parked cars. When crossing the street, also make sure to walk and not run, and only cross the street using marked crosswalks. And, of course, make sure to hold hands with toddlers and little ones while on sidewalks and crossing the street.
Many children also dress up in the same costumes on Halloween—and many include masks that cover their entire face, so it’s easier than you think for kids to get mixed up or lost in bigger groups of friends. Have a plan for sticking together, make sure children have a “buddy,” or designate a checkpoint if you get lost. Consider adding something to your child’s costume that makes them easier to stand out for you, like a wand, a crown, or even a stuffed animal.
Plan for the weather on Halloween night
While attending Halloween parties or going trick-or-treating with your toddlers and kids, keep weather safety in mind by dressing for the elements and having an indoor backup plan if rain, snow, or temperatures pose hazards. Keep in mind that the later it gets, the cooler it will get, especially as it gets dark sooner. Perhaps carry an extra layer of clothing or a full change of clothes for your child if they become too cold. If rain or snow is expected, be sure to waterproof your child’s costume and have them wear rain or snow boots with traction to avoid slips.
Pedrayes suggested a few other extras you might need while trick-or-treating, including:
Water bottles to stay hydrated
A few non-candy snacks
A mini first aid kit
Any medications your child may need
Bobby or safety pins to fix costumes
Avoid choking hazards in Halloween treats
Around this time of year, there’s a lot of fear regarding strangers tampering with Halloween candy, but if you look into these cases, for the most part, they are myths. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t review the candy we let our kids eat for allergens or choking hazards. Watch out for hard candies such as Skittles, M&Ms, or lollipops. Similarly, soft candies like bubblegum, taffy, and marshmallows also present a choking hazard for the little ones, especially toddlers. You also want to check candies for their overall condition, since we don’t know where they were stored or for how long. Some kids might collect non-candy Halloween treats like small toys, so be sure to also check these for choking hazards.
Establish safe social media practices for older kids (and parents)
You can empower your children with a new life skill if you focus on helping them understand what is safe and dangerous to post on social media—and why. Here are some safety tips to consider when it comes to social media on Halloween:
Never share a home address
Instead of taking pictures in front of your house, maybe do so in front of trees in the backyard
Avoid posting on social media where you are until after you’ve left that area
Enable security settings such as two-factor authentication
Teach practical life skills while having fun on Halloween
Halloween is a wonderful opportunity for children to have some plain old fun. Getting dressed up, hanging out with friends, and eating candy all night can create some wonderful, happy memories that will last a lifetime. However, safety always comes first.While it’s impossible to be 100 percent protected against every unsafe scenario, it is possible to be prepared for many of them. Pedrayes suggested using Halloween as an opportunity to help your children learn and practice life skills that will keep them safe, not just this Halloween, but for the rest of their lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caroline Chirichella, Contributing Writer
Caroline Chirichella is originally from NYC and now lives in Puglia, Italy with her Italian husband, daughter, son, and three rescue dogs. She is a full-time writer and public relations consultant who specializes in mompreneurs. She has written for The New York Times, The Lily by The Washington Post, Elle, Shape, Health, Romper, Parents, and more. She loves morning cuddles with her kids and lazy Sundays spent with her family.
As the Branded Content Editorial Assistant, McKenna collaborates with our sales team by creating both written and social media content, collecting and analyzing performance data to report back to our partners, and assisting our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth and productive process.
