Costumes should be flame-retardant and fit properly. Avoid oversized shoes, high heels and long skirts or pants that could cause a child to fall. Children who will be trick-or treating after dusk should have reflective tape on their costumes and carry flashlights. Small children should never carve pumpkins but use markers to draw faces. Parents should do the cutting.
Votive candles are safest for candlelit pumpkins.
Lighted pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table away from curtains and other flammable objects and should never be left unattended. Watch for signs of tampering such as small pinholes in wrappers and torn or loose packages. Parents of young children should get rid of choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys. Parents should remove anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations. Parents should check outdoor lighting and replace burned-out bulbs.