Using Hallowing safety tips, a child dressed as a knight and another as an astronaut are receiving treats.

Halloween safety tips

Safety suggestions for trick or treaters, drivers and homeowners providing treats.

To help make Halloween activities safer, whether you're going door-to-door, driving or passing out treats at home, keep these tips, and some safety tips for pumpkin carving, in mind.

Safety tips for trick or treating

  • Always accompany young children.
  • Exercise great caution during the "scariest" hours: between 5 and 9 p.m. Studies show that the hour between 6 and 7 p.m. is especially dangerous for pedestrian accidents.
  • Stick to neighborhoods with sidewalks. If you must walk on the street, keep to the far left, facing traffic.
  • Practice safe crossing procedures: Use crosswalks and at corners look both ways before crossing.
  • Stick reflective tape onto costumes to make your child more visible. Also have your child carry a flashlight with fresh batteries.
  • Make sure costumes and shoes are the correct size to prevent tripping. If possible, use face paint and leave the mask at home since masks can obstruct vision.
  • If an older child is venturing out without supervision, ask that he or she go with a group, discuss the route and agree on a curfew. Give older kids cell phones making sure it is completely charged so they can stay in touch.
  • Children should be fever free and not show signs of illness if going out treat or treating.

Halloween driving safety tips

Halloween decorating safety tips

  • Keep your home brightly lit indoors and outside. Check the lighting for your front entryway or porch and replace any damaged bulbs that may have burned out.
  • Remove or highlight potential tripping hazards, such as electrical cords. Clear debris and other obstacles from your lawn, sidewalks and steps.
  • Avoid open flames. Opt for battery-operated candles in jack-o'-lanterns or other areas where costumed trick-or-treaters might stand.
  • Be sure that the extension cords you use outside are rated for outdoor use. Also, don't overload extension cords. Your cord should be the correct amps for what you're plugging into it.
  • Keep pets kenneled or in another room.
  • While your homeowners insurance policy provides some liability coverage, additional liability insurance may protect against costly legal fees that could result if an accident occurs on your property. Talk to your State Farm® agent to see if a Personal Liability Umbrella Policy is right for you.

In addition to protecting children from accidents, remind kids of stranger danger on Halloween. Teach children to visit only well-lit homes, to avoid dark streets and to not enter homes that aren't their own. Kids should show all their loot to parents before eating any of it. Homemade treats from people they don't know shouldn't be eaten.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company
State Farm General Insurance Company
Bloomington, IL

State Farm Florida Insurance Company
Winter Haven, FL

State Farm Lloyds
Richardson, TX

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