As families prepare for Halloween, the American Red Cross Indiana Region encourages everyone to make safety a priority. By following a few simple precautions, trick-or-treaters and their families can enjoy a fun and safe holiday free from frightful accidents.

Costume Safety

• Use face makeup instead of masks whenever possible.
• Choose light-colored clothing if you can.
• Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags.
• Select flame-resistant costumes and wigs.
• Avoid costumes with long, trailing fabric that could cause trips and falls.
• Skip decorative contact lenses to help prevent eye injuries.
• If carving pumpkins, use battery-operated lights or glow sticks instead of candles.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

• Have adult supervision. Children under the age of 12 should always be accompanied by an adult while trick-or-treating.
• If older children go out on their own, plan their route and establish a specific return time.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible.
• If there are no sidewalks, walk on the edge of the road facing traffic and as far from vehicles as possible.
• Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at corners or crosswalks.
• Never cross between parked cars, cut across yards, or use alleys.
• Carry a flashlight to help light the way.
• Walk, don’t run.
• Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.
• Stay in groups. If children are trick-or-treating with friends, encourage them to stay together and never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
• Check treats. Parents should inspect all candy before children consume it, discarding anything that looks suspicious, unwrapped or homemade by someone they don’t know.

Home Safety

• Keep your porch, walkway and entry area well lit.
• Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps.
• Remove any obstacles that could cause slips, trips or falls.

Driving Safety

• Slow down. Be especially cautious in residential neighborhoods where trick-or-treaters are likely to be present.
• Stay alert. Watch for children crossing streets or walking on roads where sidewalks are not available.
• Avoid distractions. Put away phones and other distractions to stay focused on the road.

Hosting a Halloween Party
Alcohol-related traffic incidents increase around Halloween, and many Halloween traffic fatalities involve impaired drivers. Party hosts should:

• Offer non-alcoholic beverage options.
• Arrange safe transportation for guests who have been drinking.
• Consider ride-sharing services, taxis, designated drivers, or driving guests home yourself if you have not been drinking.
• Collect car keys from guests who may not be safe to drive.
• If you are the one planning on drinking alcohol, choose a designated driver, arrange a ride-share, or make other transportation plans before celebrating. Never drive impaired.
  

Pets and Halloween

• If you plan to welcome trick-or-treaters or host a party, keep pets in a separate area away from the activity.
• Keep all treats out of your pets' reach. Many Halloween treats, especially chocolate and certain candies, can be toxic to animals.
• Keep pet costumes comfortable and safe. Only dress your pet if they’re comfortable and make sure the costume doesn’t restrict their movement, breathing, vision or hearing.
• Halloween can be stressful for pets and may cause them to run away. Make sure your pet wears identification tags, has a secure leash when outdoors, and wears a reflective collar if going out after dark.
   

About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:
The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its chapters: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @indianaredcross. LinkedIn: American Red Cross of Indiana.