Denver Association of Family Child Care

Keep Halloween Safe

Sep 24, 2000

Hosting a Halloween party can be a great alternative to trick or treating. Children will have fun dressing up, playing games and tasting simple treats. With a little imagination, a party could provide special memories.

For very young children, Halloween can be scary. They can get into the fun by having their faces painted to look like a gentle character, such as a bunny or kitten. When trick or treaters come to the door in scary costumes, let the young child see who's behind the mask. If the child is still scared, you might want to give her a hug and say it's OK to sit out this holiday.

The National Safety Council offers the following guidelines for having a safe Halloween:

Dress children in safe costumes. Wear comfortable shoes and don't let a mask, hat, beard or wig block vision. Dress kids in costumes that are flame resistant and that don't drag on the ground.

See and be seen. Use reflective tape on both sides of the costume. Consider painting your child's face rather than covering it with a mask. Start trick or treating early in the evening, so children can be off the street by dark.

Supervise young trick or treaters. Parents should accompany young children. After about 9 or 10 years of age, children should go in a group and walk on sidewalks. The children can decide with parents where they will go and what time they will return home. Cross only at traffic signals and in crosswalks.

Decide ahead of time that children will be allowed to keep only treats that are in individually sealed packages. They should not eat any treats before going home.

Watch for hazards. Use a flashlight to check out sidewalks, porches and steps for a stray toy or tool that could trip a costumed person.

Regardless of age, children should go only to homes of people they know.

Careful planning and clear expectations up front can make this a safer and more enjoyable time.


Adapted from: "Growing Concerns Halloween." 1996 Family Information Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota.