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Costume, trick-or-treat safety tips for Halloween in Mahoning Valley

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters

Updated October 25, 2023 12:08 PM

To avoid fires, light jack-o-lanterns with LED lights or fake candles instead of using an open flame. File photo

According to Consumer Affair’s list of most Halloween-obsessed states, Ohio ranks twelfth for Halloween-related online activity and overall hype for the holiday.

Whether you’re trick-or-treating, visiting haunted attractions or going all out decorating for a Halloween party, it’s bound to be a busy last week of October.

Don’t let the excitement distract you from being safe; here are some things to keep in mind while celebrating Halloween safely for the whole family.

What to keep in mind when buying Halloween costumes this year

AAA East Central is reminding parents and caregivers about the importance of choosing safe costumes for trick-or-treating.

When the sun sets, it’ll be harder for drivers to see kids crossing the street.

According to experts, the safest costumes should have bright colors and something like reflective tape or glow sticks. This will help them in stand out in the beam of a car’s headlights after dusk.

“One of the most important things that you can do to make trick-or-treating safer for you and your child is to increase visibility,” said Amanda Lencyk, trauma injury prevention and outreach coordinator, Mercy Health – Youngstown. “Attaching reflective tape to their costume, carrying a flashlight or wearing a glowstick are simple solutions to significantly reduce risks and still enjoy some safe, spooky fun.”

If your child’s costume has a mask, make sure it doesn’t impair their vision while walking.

If your child’s costume has makeup, remember to test out any makeup that will be used on their face to avoid an allergic reaction. Make sure to wash all makeup off at the end of the night.

Parents should make sure costumes fit properly and aren’t dragging on the ground to protect against trips and falls.

For trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, kids should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes; high heels aren’t a good idea.

Trick-or-treating safety

Here are Mercy Health’s top trick-or-treating safety tips for this year:

Make sure to stick to a well-lit path like sidewalks when going from house to house.
Always accompany children under 11 when trick-or-treating and make sure to identify a plan for older kids on curfew and an agreed route to go on throughout their Halloween night.
Remind children to never go into a stranger’s car or enter a stranger’s home.

Halloween decoration safety

To avoid fires, light jack-o-lanterns with LED lights or fake candles instead of using an open flame.
Keep corn stalks or other house decorations that might be flammable away from light bulbs or open flames.
Make sure all decorations are placed in a way that doesn’t cause a potential tripping hazard such as placing extension cords away from the walkway.
Make sure fog or other inflatable decorations are secured and away from doorways.