Halloween Safety Tips from Piedmont Walton

Helping Georgians Celebrate Safely

Monroe, Ga. (Oct. 29, 2025) – Halloween is a fun and festive time for children and adults to dress up and enjoy the season, but it also presents safety risks. Piedmont Walton is sharing important tips to help families stay safe while celebrating.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that an average of 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated in emergency departments annually. Commonly treated injuries are caused by pumpkin carving, costume-related falls and decoration mishaps. More seriously, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

“Whether you’re trick-or-treating, attending a community event or driving through neighborhoods, it’s important to stay alert and prioritize safety,” said Garrett Polston, trauma program manager at Piedmont Walton. “Kids are excited and may dart into the street without looking. Drivers must slow down and stay distraction-free.”

Other top safety tips for Halloween include:

Costume safety

• Choose flame-resistant costumes and avoid long hems that can cause tripping.
• Use non-toxic makeup or face paint instead of masks to ensure clear vision.
• Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and carry glow sticks or flashlights.
• Ensure accessories like swords or canes have dull edges.
• Remove makeup before bed to prevent skin irritation.

Pedestrian and driver safety

• Cross streets at corners using crosswalks and traffic signals.
• Walk on sidewalks or paths; if unavailable, walk facing traffic.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
• Drivers should slow down, turn on headlights early and avoid distractions.

Home and yard safety

• Clear yards of tripping hazards like leaves and decorations.
• Keep pets indoors during peak trick-or-treating hours.
• Use battery-powered candles instead of open flames.
• Turn on porch lights to improve visibility.

Candy safety

• Inspect all treats before eating. Discard anything open or suspicious.
• Check labels for allergens, especially for children with food sensitivities.

Supervision tips

• Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
• Teenagers should travel in groups, stay in familiar areas and check in regularly.