Halloween night is a fun and exciting time for kids of all ages; yet each year numerous children are injured or killed on Halloween night. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle and killed on Halloween, then on any other day of the year. Common injuries on Halloween are slips, trips, and falls which are four times as likely to occur on Halloween then on any other night of the year. In addition to injuries, Halloween-related deaths occur among children as well due to the lack of adult supervision.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults and children aged 12 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine, but many trick-or-treaters aren’t eligible to get vaccinated yet. To help you enjoy a sweet and safe Halloween, remember to track local transmission rates, take precautions like wearing a mask and washing your hands, and avoid activities that put you and the children around you at increased risk for COVID-19.

Mayor Harry Rilling and Norwalk Fire Chief Gino Gatto advise parents and guardians to closely supervise children when participating in Halloween activities to protect them from unintentional injuries or worse. If you plan on trick-or-treating, please follow COVID-19 public health precautions, and remember the CDC advice for a SAFE HALLOWEEN:

Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in small groups or with a trusted adult.

Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. 

Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.

Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.

Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult, and if going indoors, wear a face covering. Otherwise, stay outside.

Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Here are additional safety tips for the Halloween Weekend:

At Home

• Be sure walking areas are well-lit and free of obstacles.
• Items lit with candles, i.e., jack-o-lanterns and luminaries should be placed away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. These items should be on sturdy tables and out of the reach of children and pets. Never leave them unattended.

On the Road

• Drive slowly and safely while being observant of children at intersections, medians, and curbs.
• Trick-or-treaters may move in unpredictable ways such as avoiding the use of sidewalks and running between parked cars.
• Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Slowly and carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating.
• Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.

Halloween Decorations

• Inspect decorations for loose connections, frayed or bare wires and broken or cracked sockets.
• Hang lights using plastic hooks or clips to reduce the risk of electric shock and fire hazards.
• NEVER nail or staple light strings.
• Don’t overload extension cords. Use special, heavy duty extension cords for high wattage decorations such as fog machines and electrically powered inflatable decorations.
• Look for the UL Mark on light strings, electrical decorations, and extension cords. The UL Mark means the product has been found free of foreseeable hazards and is safer for your family.
• Keep candles away from items that easily catch fire, such as decorations, window treatments, and paper.

For more information on Halloween Safety, visit: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov 

Safe Kids Worldwide- www.safekids.org 

National Fire Protection Association - www.nfpa.org 

U.S. Fire Administration & Federal Emergency Management Agency- www.usfa.fema.gov