The Aroostook County EMA, wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Halloween!
Stay safe this Halloween by focusing on pedestrian visibility, smart costume choices, and safe trick-or-treating habits.
Traffic & Walking Safety
• Be visible: Give children flashlights, glow sticks, or add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags so drivers can spot them in the dark.
• Watch the road: Children are more than twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
• Use crosswalks: Cross at corners or designated crosswalks, look left, right, and left again, and never dart out from between parked cars.
• Supervise young kids: An adult should always accompany children under age 12; older children should travel in groups along a pre-planned, well-lit route with a set return time. Review safety guidelines from the National Safety Council.
• Drive with extra care: Slow down in residential neighborhoods, turn headlights on early, and eliminate distractions like phones while driving. Find more driver precautions from the NHTSA Halloween Safety Guide.
Costume & Fire Safety
• Opt for face paint: Use non-toxic makeup instead of masks that can block vision or trip hazards. Always test makeup on a small patch of skin 24 to 48 hours early to check for allergic reactions.
• Check the fit: Ensure costumes are the right length to prevent tripping and avoid sharp or long props like swords and sticks.
• Look for flame-resistant labels: Make sure costumes, wigs, and accessories say “flame-resistant”.
• Skip open flames: Use battery-operated LED lights or glow sticks inside jack-o’-lanterns instead of real candles. Read full guidance on products and labels from the FDA Halloween Safety Tips.
Candy & Treat Inspection
• Wait until home: Teach children not to eat any treats until they return home and an adult can inspect them.
• Check packages: Discard any items that are unlabeled, opened, torn, or suspicious-looking.
• Watch for choking and allergies: Remove choking hazards for young children and read ingredient labels carefully if food allergies are a concern. Check child-specific advice via HealthyChildren.org.
