Halloween Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips

It’s that time of year again when kids (and adults) get to dress up, eat candy and have a good time on Halloween. With all the excitement and last-minute rushing around, children and parents sometimes forget basic safety precautions that can help avoid a Halloween horror.

Here’s a quick list of easy tips to follow from Dr. Barbara Gaines of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. 

• Trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods at homes of people you know. Don’t go to unknown neighborhoods or travel too far from home and always carry a flashlight.

• Preschool-age children and toddlers can be afraid of the scarier aspects of Halloween. Talk to younger children in advance about the difference between reality and make-believe.

• Respect the designated trick-or-treating times in your neighborhood area—which is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31 in Upper St. Clair.

• Make sure all children have adult supervision when trick-or-treating. And no one, no matter how old, should trick-or-treat alone.

• When choosing or making a costume, make sure it is made of fire-resistant material and bright colors. If you choose a dark color, add reflective tape so the trick-or-treaters can be seen by drivers of on-coming cars. Make sure the costume is not a tripping hazard.

• Avoid sharp objects as accessories.

• Make sure costumes are large enough to permit warm clothes under it if the temperature is low.

• Instruct children not to eat any treats until they get home and have them checked by an adult. Make sure the candy is not homemade and also throw out unwrapped treats or anything that looks like it may have been opened or tampered with. Serve children dinner beforehand so they won’t be hungry.

• If using face paint or make-up, make sure the ingredient labels say “made with U.S. approved colored additives,” “laboratory tested,” “non-toxic” or “meets federal standards for cosmetics.”

• Younger children are better off not wearing masks. But if you choose to use one, make sure it does not obstruct vision or breathing. An elastic band can be used to secure a proper fit and prevent it from slipping.

• Set a curfew and know in advance the route that older children are taking.

• If driving, beware of children darting out into the streets.

Editor's Note: You have until 9 p.m. Monday to enter your child in our Halloween costume contest! You could win a trip to meet Heidi Klum, and a donation to a local charity of your choice! Submit your photo .

What other Halloween safety tips do you have? Tell us in the comments.