29 Oct Halloween safety tips: keeping little trick-or-treaters safe

Dressing up, collecting treats and exploring the neighbourhood are all part of Halloween fun. But a little planning can help parents keep excited trick-or-treaters safe.

Halloween is an exciting time of year for children. Combine dressing up with going out to collect treats and you have child heaven. Being mindful of potential hazards can help make sure everyone has a fun, spooky and safe Halloween.

When Holly was nine and her younger brother Connor was five, Halloween was a highlight of their year. They planned their costumes months in advance.

Their mum, Brodie, loved seeing the delight Halloween brought to her children. However, she was also aware of the potential dangers involved with excited and unpredictable children. She said

“It does get a little chaotic. So before we leave the house, we remind our kids about our important safety rules. Rules such as waiting for an adult before crossing the road, staying on the footpaths and looking out for cars in driveways,”

“We start trick or treating early, around 5:00pm, when there is still plenty of daylight. This way the kids are more visible and there are more families walking together.”

“We always ensure that a trusted adult accompanies the children and there is more than one adult if extra kids join our group.”

Adding some safety planning to your Halloween ‘to do’ list can help ensure the whole family enjoys the experience.

Get clever with costumes

• Be bright and visible. No matter how cool your child’s costume may be, it shouldn’t compromise safety. The brighter the better! Avoid dark costumes or add reflective tape so children can be seen easily.
• Think about masks. Masks can make it harder for children to see or hear traffic. Face paint is a good alternative, provided it’s suitable for your child’s skin.
• Avoid sharp accessories. Choose soft, flexible versions of costume swords, wands and other pretend weapons.
• Watch the length. Avoid long costumes that drag on the ground and pose a trip hazard.
• Check for fire hazards. Keep costumes, wigs and flowing fabrics away from candles and other naked flames.
  

Trick or treat with care

• Review safety rules before leaving home, including staying with the group, using footpaths and crossing at designated pedestrian crossings where available.
• Teach children to stop, look and listen for traffic in all directions before crossing. Younger children should always have an adult supervising.
• Take extra care around driveways. Cars may be reversing or entering properties, and drivers may not see small children.
• If you’re driving on Halloween, slow down and watch carefully for children crossing streets or moving between parked cars.
• Visit homes that are clearly participating in Halloween celebrations and remind children to respect households that aren’t taking part.
• Start trick-or-treating early, while there is still daylight, and make sure children have adult supervision appropriate to their age.

Other Halloween safety tips

• Be button battery aware. Flashing toys, light-up costumes and novelty decorations may contain button or coin batteries. Check that battery compartments are secure and child-resistant. Keep loose batteries and unsafe products out of children’s reach. If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
• Take care with pumpkin carving. Leave carving to an adult. Younger children can help decorate pumpkins with markers, stickers or other child-friendly craft materials.
• Choose safer lighting. Battery-operated LED candles are a safer alternative to naked flames. Check that any battery compartments are secure, particularly if they contain button batteries.
• Check Halloween treats. Hard lollies, marshmallows and chewing gum can pose choking hazards for young children. Check packaging and ingredients for possible allergens if your child has a food allergy.
• Save the treats for home. It’s best to avoid eating while walking or running. Check your child’s treats before they tuck in, and encourage them to enjoy their haul safely at home.

With a little preparation and a few simple safety rules, families can enjoy all the spooky fun Halloween has to offer.

Originally published by Kidsafe Victoria. Safety advice reviewed and updated for October 2026, with additional information from ACCC Product Safety.

Enjoy the fun this Halloween and stay safe to ensure everyone has a wicked time.