This story was originally published on Oct. 12, 2023, and receives updates each year.
With all the excitement and fun surrounding the upcoming spooky holiday, it is important to remember that things can and will go bump in the night.
Trick-or-treat night is from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31, and with it comes the inevitable excitement of dressing up, visiting haunted houses, and sharing ghost stories around a fire. However, the Recorder has put together a list of things parents should keep in mind before the sun sets on Halloween.
Drivers and pedestrians
Pedestrian safety is one of the most important things to consider on Halloween. Since trick-or-treating typically begins after dark, kids and adults in costumes might not be immediately visible to motorists. Drivers are reminded to slow down and be aware of their surroundings, including when entering and exiting driveways, alleyways and parking lots. They should also pay attention to pedestrians in crosswalks, driveways, parking lots and sidewalks.
Pedestrians should always use traffic signals and crosswalks, look left, right, and then left again, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
Jack-o’-lantern carving
While an annual tradition for many, it is crucial to keep an eye on children while carving jack-o’-lanterns and never leave sharp objects unattended where children or pets can get to them.
Candles are one of the leading causes of reported home fires, which add up to about roughly 800 fires each year, according to the Indianapolis Fire Department. Candles should never be left unattended, and open flames should be kept away from dry decorations such as pumpkins, hay bales and scarecrows, both inside and outside, due to their high flammability.
Using LED or battery-powered candles in jack-o’-lanterns is a safer, more eco-friendly option.
Porches, walkways and decorations
Potential hazards such as flowerpots, branches, candles, garden hoses, wired lighting and breakable or sharp decorations, should be removed from walkways, front porches or yards to prevent trick-or-treaters from falling and hurting themselves.
Anywhere candy is being passed out should be well-lit — including porches, garages, and driveways. Even on Halloween, it is important to check a doorbell camera or look through the window before answering the door.
Costumes and visibility
Children should be able to walk, talk, breathe, hear and see comfortably in their costumes. Oversized costumes, shoes, wigs, hats or masks can obstruct a child’s vision or cause them to trip and fall walking upstairs or on sidewalks and crosswalks while trick-or-treating.
For those who will be out after dark, IMPD suggests sticking to light-colored clothing or adding reflective tape to costumes or candy bags to increase visibility. Costumes should also be fire-resistant, if possible.
Make sure any face paint or makeup is nontoxic and removed properly at the end of the night to prevent irritation or allergic reactions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). IMPD also warns against wearing masks or disguises in businesses or carrying props such as toy guns, which can look real.
Also, make sure to check the weather before going out for the night and wear appropriate clothing under costumes in the event of colder temperatures.
Trick-or-treating
Young children and children with special needs should always be accompanied by a parent or trusted adult at Halloween parties, festivals and while trick-or-treating. IMPD also recommends going out in daylight hours if possible, considering block parties instead of trick-or-treating, and carrying a flashlight if you will be out after dark.
Children should also be reminded not to enter a stranger’s home or vehicle while trick-or-treating. They should stay aware of their surroundings and be able to describe their location in case of an emergency — this means knowing street names and looking for house numbers.
Older kids and teens should be reminded to walk in organized groups or use the buddy system, stay in well-lit areas and avoid alleys. Anything suspicious should be reported to local law enforcement.
Candy and treats
Choking hazards tend to increase during Halloween, and IMPD recommends only passing out or accepting wrapped or packaged treats. Parents should also examine all treats before allowing children to binge-eat their weight in sugar. This not only ensures children do not eat anything unsafe or that they are allergic to, but also decreases the chance of choking.
Anything that appears unwrapped, rewrapped or homemade should be thrown away. Anyone with food allergies should read every label, avoid candies or treats without labels and carry an epinephrine auto-injector (if prescribed).
If a suspicious item is found, contact police as soon as possible at 317-327-3811; if injury is involved, dial 911.
Parents can also learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project, a non-food Halloween treat initiative started by Food Allergy Research and Education at foodallergy.org. The CDC also recommends ensuring medications, vitamins and cough drops are stored properly, as curious children might mistake them for candy this time of year.
Pet safety
Trick-or-treat night is bound to create a lot of commotion, so it’s important to remember to keep excitable pets restrained and away from doors to minimize the risk of them getting out. Pets joining their owners for trick-or-treating should be on a leash or harness at all times and wear a collar with readable ID tags or be chipped in case they run off or get loose.
For more information about trick-or-treat times and locations around Indianapolis or to get candy from IMPD and IFD, visit in.gov.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848 or chloegm@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
