NYC Health Department Reminds New Yorkers To Keep Halloween Fun and Poison-Free

NYC Health Department Reminds New Yorkers To Keep Halloween Fun and Poison-Free

Medications, Glow Products, Small Objects, Cannabis Edibles, and Candy Pose Risks to Young Children

The NYC Poison Center Helps Families Celebrate Halloween Safely, Available 24/7 by Calling 212-POISONS (212-764-7667) or Using the "Chat With Us" Feature Online

October 29, 2026 - The NYC Health Department is reminding New Yorkers to take simple precautions to prevent unintentional poisonings as families are planning for Halloween. Cannabis edibles can look like ordinary candy or snacks, posing a severe poisoning risk to young children. Other items like candy, medications, glow products, and small toys also present poisoning or injury risks.

On Halloween in 2025, the NYC Poison Center received 124 calls about exposures to potential poisons. Among the calls, 41 involved children younger than 5, six involved children ages 6 to 12, four involved people ages 13 to 19, and 69 involved adults age 20 and older. Glow sticks, toys, and small objects were among the most frequent causes of calls.

"Halloween should be about costumes, candy, and having fun," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. "Before children dig into their treats, take a few minutes to look through what they brought home, and keep medications and cannabis products - especially those that look like candy - safely stored and out of reach. These precautions can help everyone enjoy Halloween safely. If you think someone has been exposed to something harmful, our Poison Center is available around the clock by calling 212-POISONS."

"The scariest thing parents should have to worry about on Halloween is whether their kids are coming home with real candy that is not altered in any way," said New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Committee on Health. "While Halloween should be about costumes, candy, and making memories together, it is important that parents and families take extra precautions to keep children safe. We encourage parents and family members to check their children's candy, keep medications and cannabis edibles securely stored and out of reach, and be mindful of small objects that can pose a choking hazard. Thank you to Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin and the New York City Department of Health for highlighting these risks and providing families with the information they need to celebrate safely."

Tips For for a Safe Halloween

• Check treats before eating. Parents and caregivers should inspect children's candy and treats before they are eaten. Discard anything that is open, unwrapped, damaged, or appears to have been tampered with. Check labels for potential food allergens.
• Keep cannabis products away from children. Cannabis edibles can resemble familiar candy, gummies, chocolates, cookies, and other foods. Keep cannabis products in their original packaging, separate from Halloween candy and other food, and securely stored out of reach of children.
• Keep medications safely stored. Prescription and over-the-counter medications and vitamins can be mistaken for candy. Keep them securely stored and out of sight and reach of children.
• Use glow products safely. Glow sticks and glow jewelry should not be chewed, bitten, or broken open. Supervise young children when using glow products.
• Watch for choking and ingestion hazards. Hard candy, gum, small toys, and other small objects can pose a risk to young children. Keep button batteries and other small objects securely out of reach.

The NYC Poison Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 212-POISONS (212-764-7667), providing free, confidential guidance from specially trained pharmacists and nurses. New Yorkers can also connect with the Poison Center through its online chat service by clicking "Chat With Us" on the NYC Poison Center webpage.

If someone has been exposed to a poison and is awake and alert, call the NYC Poison Center immediately, even if the person does not have any symptoms. Do not make someone vomit after swallowing a potentially poisonous substance. If a person is unconscious, having seizures or convulsions, or having difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately.

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