As a mum of three young children who love going trick-or-treating each year, I know how much excitement Halloween brings. There are costumes to choose, pumpkins to spot and plenty of anticipation about what might end up in those little buckets!
But when I started looking into Halloween safety, I found the amount of information quite daunting. Advice about costumes, candles, road safety, sweets and allergies was spread across different places, and it felt overwhelming trying to work out what I needed to remember.
That’s why I’ve brought the key information together here in one place. Whether you’re a parent, carer or grandparent taking children trick-or-treating, I hope this gives you a useful starting point without having to search through lots of different websites yourself.
These are the practical checks I’ll be keeping in mind with my own family, drawing on guidance from the NHS, London Fire Brigade, RoSPA and Anaphylaxis UK.
Check costumes before heading out
Choosing a costume is part of the excitement, but it’s worth checking more than whether it’s the right character or colour!
Buy from a reputable retailer, read the age guidance and safety information, and check for loose cords or small detachable parts.
Make sure children can walk comfortably without tripping over long hems or trailing accessories. They also need to see clearly, particularly near roads. Avoid masks that restrict their view.
London Fire Brigade advises checking children’s costume packaging for a UKCA or CE mark and UK manufacturer or importer details.
A safety mark does not make a costume fireproof. All clothing needs to stay away from flames.
Choose lights without flames
Glowing pumpkins look lovely on a doorstep, but battery-operated LED lights are a safer choice than candles.
Keep costumes, capes and wigs away from lit candles, bonfires and other heat sources, including at other people’s houses. Children should not carry candles or sparklers while wearing fancy dress.
Check that battery compartments on light-up decorations are secure, and keep loose batteries away from babies and toddlers. Button batteries can cause serious harm if swallowed.
Plan a route that works for your family
With young children, a shorter outing can be plenty. There’s no need to visit every decorated house!
Choose a familiar route and accompany young children. If several adults are going together, agree who is watching which child rather than assuming someone else has them.
Before setting off:
Take a torch so you can see where you’re walking.
Add reflective details to costumes where possible.
Use pavements and designated crossing points.
Remind children to wait for their adult before crossing.
Take particular care around parked cars and driveways.
Visit homes that are clearly welcoming trick-or-treaters, respect signs asking for no callers and stay outside.
If you’re pregnant, taking a baby along or know your children may tire quickly, give yourself permission to keep it brief. A few nearby houses can still feel like a big adventure.
Check treats before children eat them
Those buckets can fill up quickly, but not everything collected will be suitable for every child.
Bring treats home to check before children eat them. Think about suitability for the child’s age as well as ingredients. Something handed out at Halloween is not automatically suitable for a toddler or baby.
The NHS advises against giving babies and young children hard, sticky or gooey sweets, popcorn and marshmallows because of choking risks.
Children should sit still and be supervised while eating, rather than eating as they walk or run between houses.
Keep sweets, wrappers and small toy treats out of babies’ reach, including anything older siblings might leave within grabbing distance.
Plan ahead for food allergies
For families managing food allergies, Halloween can involve some extra preparation.
Follow your child’s allergy plan and take their prescribed emergency medication. Anaphylaxis UK advises carrying two in-date adrenaline auto-injectors when prescribed and making sure accompanying adults know how to use them.
Check every label, including familiar brands, because ingredients can change. Avoid unwrapped, unlabelled or homemade treats when you cannot establish that they are suitable.
Taking suitable alternatives gives your child something to swap for treats they cannot eat, so they can still enjoy collecting and joining in.
If you’re handing out treats yourself, keep them in their original packaging so parents and carers can read the ingredients. An age-appropriate non-food option can help more children join in. Check age warnings, as small toys and accessories may be unsuitable for babies and toddlers.
Make the evening work for your family
Halloween doesn’t have to look a particular way. A short walk to see pumpkins, dressing up at home or handing out treats together might suit your family better this year.
There’s no need to stay out once children are tired, cold or no longer enjoying themselves.
If you’re taking a baby along, keep older children’s sweets and small costume accessories out of reach. You can also find my guide to dressing your baby in colder weather on the Little Village blog, with practical advice about layers and avoiding overheating.
For me, bringing this advice together has made the preparation feel more manageable. I hope it helps you feel a little more prepared too, so you can get on with enjoying those excited faces and pumpkin-filled doorsteps.
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