Topline:
Most parents know the basics, but pediatricians have some quick and easy tips to keep your young children safe during Halloween.
Give me some context: According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 1 in 10 Halloween-related injuries involving children 6 and younger lead to a trip to the emergency room.
Why it matters: Halloween is fun, but even little trick-or-treaters can get hurt or stressed out. A few simple precautions can keep the night safe and happy.
Costumes, trick-or-treating and candy make Halloween special for kids, but safety should not be overlooked.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 1 in 10 Halloween-related injuries involving children 6 and younger lead to a trip to the emergency room. This includes pumpkin carving, falls from costumes or trick-or-treating, and allergic reactions.
Most parents know the basics, but just in case, pediatricians have shared some quick and easy tips to keep your little one safe during Halloween.
This spooky season, expect to see plenty of popular costumes from Bluey to KPop Demon Hunters and Wicked.
No matter what the costume is, make sure it fits your child properly so they don’t trip. Avoid oversized shoes, long hems, or baggy clothes.
“With costumes for kids that are really young, it's fine to have that wonderful duck costume with the huge floppy yellow feet, but maybe just keep those for the photo op in the house,” said Dr. Frances Pang, a pediatrician at Cedars-Sinai. “Then once you leave the house, let them change into their little sneakers.”
While masks are tempting, Pang said younger kids are more sensitive to textures on their skin or anything that blocks their vision. Instead, consider face paint, or attach ears or antennae to a regular hat they already wear.
If you’re using face paint on your child for the first time, Pang’s rule of thumb is to test it on a less sensitive part of their body first — such as their hand or leg — to make sure it doesn’t cause a reaction.
Don’t forget to check the costume tag and make sure the garment is flame resistant, as children might be near jack-o'-lanterns, decorative lights or candles.
Dr. Anu Seshadri, lead pediatrician at UCLA Health, suggests adding reflective tape to your child's costume or even their candy bag so drivers are more likely to see them. Alternative options include glow sticks, flashlights, or bright costumes.
Finally, watch out for choking hazards like small buttons or beads.
“You could even use something as simple as the inside of a toilet paper roll or the inside of a paper towel roll. If it can fit in there, it's too small — they might choke on it,” Pang said.
Halloween is a fun and festive time, but it can also be challenging for some children with sensory sensitivities.
To help them enjoy it safely, Seshadri said plan ahead by going trick-or-treating early, choosing quieter routes, and bringing noise-canceling headphones.
Pang recommends less stimulating community events like Trunk-or-Treats, where kids can collect candy from decorated car trunks.
“And we don't talk about this, but some kids may prefer to just hand out the candy instead of going from door to door, right? And I think that's perfectly fine,” Seshadri said.
The most important thing is to ask them what they want and respect their comfort level.
Pang says young children aren’t usually exposed to candy, but moderation is key during Halloween.
“I think they're fine with a piece or two each day for the next week or so, and then by that time they've probably forgotten about the whole concept and they're ready to move on to the next exciting thing,” she said.
If your child’s a little older, around 5 years old, Seshadri encourages them to count their candy, which can help teach them portion control and setting limits.
Let your kids have their candy after meals, which reduces sugar spikes and teaches them to enjoy sweets responsibly.
Stick to bedtimes and routines, even during Halloween. If you don’t, pediatricians warn there might be consequences.
“When kids stay up late and have too much sugar, they can feel overtired and cranky the next day,” Seshadri said. But if your child does end up having a late night, she said it’s OK for them to sleep in to get more rest.
One in every 13 children has a food allergy, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).
The nonprofit organization has been leading a new movement to combat food allergies during Halloween called, “Teal Pumpkin Project.” In addition to offering sweet treats, the project encourages people to offer non-food options like toys or trinkets. Participating houses or events will display a Teal Pumpkin or a sign to indicate their involvement. This map helps find locations near you.
FARE lists some tips for trick-or-treating with a food allergy.