Halloween Safety Tips for a Fun & Safe Night

Community First Health Plans is here to help you and your family stay safe and healthy this Halloween with these easy-to-follow safety tips. Whether you plan to trick-or-treat or celebrate at home, Halloween should be full of fun, not fright.

Costume Safety

Help your child stand out and stay safe while trick-or-treating:

Choose a flame-resistant costume (look for a “flame-resistant” or “fire-resistant” on the label)
Make sure costumes fit well to avoid tripping.
Use reflective tape or glow sticks for visibility. A flashlight clipped to your child’s costume makes them easier to spot, and keeps their hands free for collecting candy!
Avoid masks that block vision. Face paint is a great alternative.
Wear comfortable shoes or bring them along in case you your child wants to change.

Special Needs Tip: If you have a child who is sensitive to textures, avoid scratchy materials and practice wearing their costume at home. Or choose a Halloween-themed alternative like a pumpkin shirt, a superhero or princess shirt, or a favorite cartoon or movie character.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

Before you hit the streets, remember these safety basics:

Young children should always be accompanied by an adult.
Stay in well-lit areas and use sidewalks and cross walks.
Plan your route and agree on a return time.
Don’t eat treats until they’ve been checked by an adult.

Special Needs Tip: Before Halloween, try practicing “trick-or-treating” at home! If your child struggles with communication or social skills, make or print cards to pass out along your route to give those handing out candy a quick reminder that there is a speech or communication challenge present. Plan to go trick-or-treating early when streets are less crowded.

Home Safety Tips

Keep your home safe for visitors:

Clear walkways of decorations, cords, or loose objects
Use battery-powered candles instead of open flames
Keep pets indoors and secure
Turn on porch and outdoor lights

Allergy-Friendly Halloween

Make Halloween safe and inclusive for kids with allergies. Many candies include common allergens, like peanuts, dairy, and soy.

Offer non-food treats like stickers, pencils, or toys
Look for or display a Teal Pumpkin to signal allergy-safe options
Check packaging for damage or tampering before eating

Teen Safety Tips

If your older kids are going out on their own:

Stick with a group and stay in familiar areas
Keep phones fully charged and check in regularly
Avoid entering unfamiliar homes or vehicles
Remind them to be respectful and avoid risky pranks

Vehicle Safety

Halloween brings more foot traffic, especially in neighborhoods with excited children wearing dark costumes. If you’re driving on Halloween evening, please take extra precautions:

Slow down in residential areas, even more than usual
Be extra alert for children crossing the street unexpectedly
Turn on headlights early. Even before sunset
Avoid distractions (like phones or loud music) while driving
Back out of driveways and parking spots very carefully
Be patient. Expect more pedestrians and slower traffic

Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating

If you have small children or a child with special needs, trick-or-treating door-to-door may be too tiring, stressful, or overstimulating. Here are some fun alternatives to celebrate spooky season:

Local trunk-or-treats or community events
Fall festivals, hay rides, or school carnivals
A Halloween movie night with themed snacks
Pumpkin decorating or costume contests at home

Check our blog for a list of free fall and Halloween family events in San Antonio and the surrounding areas!

We’re Here for You – Even After Hours

Need support during after hours or on weekends? Community First Health Plans has our Members covered:

Call our 24/7 Nurse Advice Line to speak with a registered nurse who can help you decide where to go to get care or how to start feeling better at home at 1-800-434-2347. In a true emergency, always call 911.

Check our blog for a list of free fall and Halloween family events in San Antonio and the surrounding areas!

From all of us at Community First Health Plans – have a safe, spooky, and fun Halloween! 🎃