How to Keep Kids Safe on Halloween Night

Halloween is one of kids’ favorite nights of the year, but it can also present some scary situations. Walking in the dark, wearing costumes, and receiving candy from strangers can make kids vulnerable to danger–and make parents worry instead of having fun. Fortunately, we talked to safety experts to compile all the ways you can prepare your kids for trick-or-treating so Halloween is safe, stress-free, and fun for everyone.

Kids Should Travel in Numbers

When it comes to Halloween safety, there’s no substitute for parental supervision, says Chris Hughes, the chief of police at Northport Police Department in Suffolk County. Kids younger than 12 should not go trick-or-treating without an adult, adds Debra Holtzman, J.D., M.A., author of The Safe Baby, and a national child safety expert.

Trick-or-Treat Locally

When kids are ready to go out on their own, they should not trick-or-treat in any unfamiliar part of town, Hughes says. Knowing where they are, how to get home, and who to go to for help—such as a neighbor or other trusted adult in the neighborhood—is crucial. They should only go up to houses with lights on, keep their cellphones charged, and never go inside any home, Holtzman advises.

Be Careful About Candy

Make sure your child knows to never eat anything that is unwrapped or appears to be homemade, Hughes says. You should “discard any candy that is a choking hazard, or your child is allergic to, or that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened,” Holtzman adds.