10-25-2024 3:40pm

Keep Halloween Fun and Safe: Halloween Safety Tips

Chris Edwards Editor

Halloween is a night of fun and celebration, filled with candy and costumes galore. However, it’s also one of the most accident-prone holidays of the year, with large numbers of people walking around in the dark, often carrying props.

Here are some top tips to help you have an accident-free holiday and enjoy the spooky festivities.

Pumpkin carving

Unsurprisingly, one of the most common injuries during Halloween comes from pumpkin carving. Using improper tools or handling them incorrectly can lead to serious injury if something goes wrong. While accidents can always happen here are some steps you can take to mitigate the risks:

Use tools specifically designed for pumpkin carving.

If you do decide to use your own kitchen knives, try to opt for a serrated blade as it is less likely to get stuck in the pumpkin compared to a sharp knife.

Let children design and draw on the pumpkin but leave carving to the adults.

Carve on a clean, dry, and well-lit surface.

Traffic accidents

According to data from FARS, pedestrians are 50% more likely to die on Halloween than on any other day. This is due to several factors, such as an increased number of pedestrians on the road, poor visibility of pedestrians due to dark costumes, and an increase in drunk driving. Steven shares these tips for those planning to go out on Halloween:

Try to keep to walkways that are even and accessible.

Try to only cross the road at designated crosswalks or intersections; if you must cross elsewhere, listen for cars and look both ways beforehand.

Carrying flashlights will not only help you see better but also help drivers to see you.

Consider adding reflective strips to costumes or props, or glowsticks, as this will increase your visibility.

Unsafe costumes

One of the best parts about Halloween, especially for the kids, is dressing up in fun, spooky costumes. However, it’s important to ensure costumes not only look good but are practical for the type of activity you intend on doing, particularly if you’re planning to spend most of the night walking around trick-or-treating. Make sure to:

Check that any masks have a good level of visibility, or opt for face paint, providing you conduct a patch test first to ensure there are no allergic reactions.

Ensure that costume materials are flame-resistant or keep well away from naked flames if this is not the case.

Avoid long costumes that drag along the floor as these are a trip hazard, not only for yourself but also for others.

Candy cautions

Aside from dressing up, candy is another huge part of the festivities. It can be easy to get carried away when you’re faced with mounds of chocolate, but allergies and choking are very real issues that can occur. For those hoping to take home an impressive candy haul, remember to:

Try to avoid eating your sweet treats until you get home and have checked what you’ve received, making sure that everything is safe for you to eat and untampered with.

If you do eat while you’re out, do so when you are stationary to minimize the choking risk, and in a well-lit area so you can see what you’re eating.

If you know you have allergies, or you’re with someone who does, make others in your group aware as well as the people giving out the candy.

Other top tips to keep you safe this Halloween

Create a planned route to stick to when you’re trick-or-treating.

Opt for LED, battery-powered lights and candles to reduce fire risk.

Try to stay in groups, and never leave young children unaccompanied by an adult.

Restrain pets, regardless of whether you believe they are friendly.

Remind your children of “stranger danger,” and that they should never enter a house or car with someone they don’t know, even if they offer candy as an enticement.

Keeping Halloween safe doesn't have to spoil the fun; it's about making small, smart choices that protect everyone while still enjoying the magic of the night.