Test Yourself on Halloween Safety

The Tootsie Roll was America’s first wrapped penny candy. It was created and sold by candy maker Leo Hirshfield in New York City in 1896. The candy is named after his daughter, whose nickname was “Tootsie."

The FDA warns that decorative contact lenses can harm your eyes. Contact lenses require a prescription to fit correctly. Using nonprescribed lenses can severely damage your eyes and even cause blindness.

Spooky decorations can add to the charm and excitement of the holiday. But make sure that the pathway to and from your door is clearly marked, well-lit, and free of obstacles. Battery-powered light sources are safer than flames, which might catch fire to a passing goblin’s costume, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Tampering with food is rare, but it’s a good idea to check all the candy and treats before your kids start snacking. It's OK to accept homemade treats from people you know very well. But the AAP says to throw away any unwrapped foods and to cut fruit into small pieces before serving.

This is especially true if kids will be trick-or-treating after dark, the National Safety Council says. The council also suggests that your child’s costume fit loosely to allow for a layer of warm clothing underneath. They also advise keeping costumes short and making sure the material is fire-retardant. Masks can make it difficult to see. So have your child use novelty makeup instead.

Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland, says History.com. According to an Irish myth, a ghost named “Stingy Jack” and other spirits haunted people at this time of year. It became customary to place a candle inside a carved turnip on the Celtic Halloween—Samhain—holiday to frighten off these spirits.

These props should be soft enough that they can't cause injury if your child falls on them or accidentally hits another person, says the AAP. And, while makeup is a better choice than a face mask, check to make sure the makeup does not contain toxic materials. Pretest a small amount on the skin of your child’s arm 1 or 2 days before the event to make sure they won’t have an allergic reaction. Eye patches, wigs, and floppy hats can get in the way and cause kids—and adults—to trip and fall.

The answer to this depends on each family’s rules, the size of your community, and local traditions. However, the AAP says that kids should stay close to home when trick-or-treating and only visit homes of people they know well. Instruct your children never to enter a home or vehicle to obtain a treat.

Eye injuries from sharp objects or sharp objects; costumes that catch fire; and trauma from being hit by a motor vehicle are the most common injuries on Halloween.

When walking after dark, on Halloween or any other time, walk facing traffic—especially if there are no sidewalks, the AAP says. The AAP also advises parents to do the following on Halloween:

• Walk door-to-door with young children.
• Stick to sidewalks.
• Cross streets at corner intersections.
• Walk, don’t run, from house to house.