Halloween Safety Tips!

Attention all witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on South Etobicoke!

Halloween comes once a year, and we all know how much kids love it! So when taking your kids Trick-or-Treating, you not only want them to have a blast going door to door collecting candy, but to stay safe while doing so!

Here are some Halloween safety tips to remember for when it’s time to head out on the prowl for an evening of Trick-or-Treating!


Plan a Route in Advance

Planning your route ahead of time allows you to maximize your trick or treating time by mapping out a route that includes all your favorite places.

Wear Reflective Clothing

Keep your kids visible by having them wear glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets.  Consider putting reflective strips on their costumes, or having them carry small flashlights.  This will add a factor of safety when crossing the roads at night, as well as a way to identify them easily in the dark among other kids.

Be Comfortable!

Make sure you and your children are in comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Avoid costumes that drag on the ground so they don’t trip or get caught on bushes.

Establish a Timeline

This is helpful if your child is going trick-or-treating without you or if you want to make sure you’re not out with the kids all night.

Don’t Forget your Cell Phone

You should have your phone with you, but if your child is older and going trick-or-treating without a parent, make sure they have a cell phone as well.

Inspect Candy before Eating

Eating sweet treats is also a big part of Halloween fun. Never eat candy until it has been inspected at home. Eating a snack before heading out, can help with the temptation of nibbling on a treat before it has been inspected. Remind your kids how important it is to wait till they get home, so a parent can check that the candy is safe. Tell children not to accept—or eat—anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. Make sure children know they should accept treats at the door and must not get into cars or enter the homes or apartments of strangers.

Keep your own home safe

Remove anything that could cause kids to trip or fall on your walkway or lawn. Keep family pets away from trick-or-treaters – even if they seem harmless to you, your pet could scare small children. Make sure the lights are on outside your house, and if possible, the walkway to your door illuminated.

For the parents who are allowing their kids for the first time to head out on Halloween night without you, below are some reminders for them to keep them safe!

  • Make sure your child is in a group of at least 3 people.
  • Give them a flashlight. A cell phone is also a good idea if you have one.
  • Discuss in advance the route they should follow. Ask them to call you if they plan to go on a street that isn’t on the route.
  • Set a curfew (and make sure they have a watch with them).
  • Tell your children not to eat anything until they get home.

 Have fun and keep safe! Happy Halloween!