Trick or Treat, Florida Style: Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween Safety Tips for Palm Beach County Families

Halloween in Palm Beach County comes with its own twists: costumes in 85-degree heat, trick-or-treating under palm trees and the occasional surprise rain shower. With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, expect busy neighborhoods and plenty of excited little ghosts and goblins. A little planning keeps the night fun, safe and sweet.

Beat the Heat –

Choose breathable, lightweight costumes and skip heavy layers or full-face masks that trap heat. Have kids drink water before heading out and bring bottles along. If your little one looks flushed, dizzy or overly tired, take a break in the shade or call it a night.

Be Seen After Dark –

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other night of the year. The sun sets before 7 PM, so:

• Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags.
• Give kids glow sticks or flashlights.
• Walk on sidewalks, cross at corners and look both ways.
• Put phones away while walking.

Many neighborhoods in western communities like The Acreage, Loxahatchee and parts of Wellington don’t have sidewalks. That’s why The Acreage usually hosts a community trick-or-treat event at the park instead, giving families a safe, well-lit place to celebrate. If you do head out in your neighborhood, walk facing traffic and stay together.

Costume Smarts –

Make sure hems don’t drag, and choose comfortable shoes. Face paint is often safer than masks that block vision, but test it on a small patch of skin first. Look for flame-resistant costumes and accessories.

Candy Checkpoint –

Check the haul at home before anyone digs in. Toss anything unwrapped, torn or homemade from someone you don’t know, and watch for choking hazards for toddlers. Be wary of unfamiliar packaging, since cannabis edibles are sometimes made to look like popular candy. If your child eats something suspicious, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Go Teal for Food Allergies –

The Teal Pumpkin Project, created by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), encourages families to offer non-food treats like stickers, glow sticks or small toys. Place a teal pumpkin by your door so families know you have allergy-friendly options.

Supervision and a Plan –

Children under 12 should trick-or-treat with an adult. If older kids head out with friends, agree on a route and check-in time, and make sure they have a charged phone.

Florida Extras

• Bugs: Mosquitoes love Halloween too. Apply bug spray before you head out.
• Rain: Pack a poncho or plan an indoor backup in case of a pop-up shower.

Keep Pets Safe –

Give pets a quiet room away from the busy front door, and keep candy out of reach. Chocolate and xylitol, a sugar substitute in some candy and gum, can be dangerous for dogs.

Drivers, slow down in neighborhoods and watch for children darting between parked cars. 

Have a safe and happy Halloween!