How to Keep Your Kids Safe While Trick-or-Treating (And Still Let Them Have Fun)

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Halloween There is a chance for children and adults alike play dress upBe silly, and eat candy to your heart’s content (and then some). There are parties, costume contests, and lots of free treats.

Sadly, in 2025, Halloween This is another chance for a seemingly innocent event to go awry. earlier this month, Needles hidden in candy thrown to kids at homecoming parade, parents report In Santa Fe, Texas, the need for safety was emphasized this Halloween.

So how do you keep your kids safe while still letting them have some fun (and allowing yourself a chocolate-fueled trip down memory lane)?

Licensed Clinical Social Worker kelly kitley It is said that setting limits is important.

“Talk to your kids before the holidays so they (and you) can plan accordingly,” she says. “For example, if your child is seven years old and he thinks he gets to eat all the candy that night, make sure you tell him how much candy he can eat that day.”

A social worker suggests parents set a limit on how much candy kids can eat on Halloween ,Getty/iStock,

To that end, it’s also important for parents to educate their kids about the need to sift candy carefully before digging into it.

“Discuss the importance of testing with an adult before eating candyDon’t eat anything unwrapped, and sort out sweets when you get home with your parents,” Kitley advised.

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devon kuntzmanThe ICF-certified coach with a degree in psychology said: “You’ll want to monitor your child’s candy for choking hazards, as younger children are more likely to choke on hard candies.”

Kuntzman, author of new book changes in childhood, Offered additional safety tips for parents of young children.

Kuntzman said, “When it comes to safety for Halloween the main focus should be on visibility. Children are 2-3 times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than other nights, so it is extremely important to make sure your child is visible.” Research, published in Journal of the American Medical Association, Found that pedestrians have a 43 percent higher risk of death on Halloween.

“You can use reflective tape, glow sticks, headlamps and glowing wristbands,” he said. “Also, if you’re bringing your stroller along, consider installing a battery-powered LED light on it. You can also attach an air tag to the inside of your baby’s outfit so you can easily locate it if you accidentally get separated from your baby.”

'When it comes to security for Halloween the main focus should be on visibility,' Kuntzman said. — ‘When it comes to security for Halloween the main focus should be on visibility,’ Kuntzman said. ,Getty/iStock,

Kuntzman said children typically don’t have any frame of reference for Halloween, so it’s important for parents to know what will happen so kids know what to expect.

“Do some practice runs,” she recommended. “Practice wearing their costume, walk over to a friend’s house and say ‘trick or treat’ and ‘thank you.’

“Also, feed your child High-Protein Dinner Before Trick or Treating to Prevent Sugar Crashes and Hangry Meltdowns. is key!”

Meanwhile, Kitley offered advice for parents of middle and high school-aged children, especially those who are worried about letting their teens go trick-or-treating alone for the first time.

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“Set a curfew and have a safety discussion about being self-aware of suspicious activity and not creating chaos around small children in the neighborhood,” she suggested.

“High school kids also like to participate, especially because it’s on a Friday! It’s an opportunity to discuss potential substances that could be introduced to them,” he said, adding that the conversation should be about drinking and driving If they are attending away parties.

To keep babies visible in the dark, Kuntzman suggests, 'If you're bringing your stroller with you, consider installing battery-powered LED lights on it.' — To keep babies visible in the dark, Kuntzman suggests, ‘If you’re bringing your stroller with you, consider installing battery-powered LED lights on it.’ ,AFP via Getty Images,

“Ask for a text message check-in overnight and offer to be picked up anywhere, anytime,” he says.

Regardless of age, Kitley and Kuntzman both agree that Halloween should be fun for everyone involved.

“Keep expectations realistic,” Kuntzman advised. “Some children may visit two houses and then be too tired to leave. Others may be intimidated by decorations and other people’s costumes. Your child may refuse to wear their costume. These are all developmentally normal reactions – your child is not bad. Don’t get distracted by big emotions. The key to having fun is to be flexible.”

“It’s a right of passage, give them the opportunity,” Kitley said, advising parents not to “put your worries on them.”