Dressing up in costume, walking the neighborhood with friends and family, and participating in annual trick-or-treat festivities is fun for all ages. As enjoyable as this tradition is, it is important to take precautions to ensure your family’s safety. Here are a few tips to help guide the children in your life to ensure a safe Halloween this year:
- Trick-or-treat with a parent or friend, and only visit familiar areas and neighborhoods.
- Walk on sidewalks, use crosswalks, and stay in well-lit areas.
- Carry glow sticks, use flashlights, and add reflective tape or stickers on your costumes and bags to increase your visibility.
- Use face paint instead of masks, when possible, to avoid limiting your vision.
- Avoid using colored contact lenses unless they have been prescribed by an eye care professional. Commercially sold colored contacts have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety.
- Do not eat any candy until it has been inspected at home and review labels to ensure allergens are not present.
- Stay on the porch or stoop when trick-or-treating; children should not go into homes.
- Slow down and stay alert; children are twice as likely to be injured in a vehicle or pedestrian accident on Halloween compared to any other day of the year.
For more Halloween safety tips, review the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s tips for divers, pedestrians, and party hosts and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s costumes and candy tips.
Your Employee Assistance Program is Here to Help
If you are feeling stressed or want additional tips to keep you and your family safe and healthy, please check out your Component Employee Assistance Program or send an email to worklife@hq.dhs.gov.