City of Southfield Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is a time of fun and excitement for children and families throughout Southfield! The City of Southfield encourages residents to celebrate safely and make lasting memories by following these Halloween Trick-or-Treating Tips to help ensure a fun, safe, and enjoyable evening for everyone.

Recommended Trick-or-Treating Hours:
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

• Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
• Plan a route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.
• Hold a flashlight to help you see and be seen. Walk, don't run, from house to house.
• Use sidewalks whenever possible or walk on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
• Look both ways before crossing the street and use crosswalks whenever available.
• Only visit homes with the porch light on and never enter a stranger's home.
• Always walk younger children to the door to receive treats.
• Do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless accompanied by an adult.
• Never accept rides from strangers.

Costume Safety

• Choose bright, reflective costumes so children are visible to drivers.
• Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags for extra visibility.
• Make sure costumes fit properly to prevent trips and falls.
• Use non-toxic makeup instead of masks when possible, to ensure good vision.
• Carry glow sticks or flashlights for added safety.

Treat Safety

• Examine all treats before eating. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious items.
• Eat only factory-wrapped candy from trusted sources.
• Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies
• Be cautious of small candies or toys that could pose choking hazards for young children.

Motorists

• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
• Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.

Emergency Preparedness

• Make sure children know your cellphone number, home address, and how to dial 911.
• Consider giving older children a cellphone to stay in touch while trick-or-treating.
• If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you.
• Agree on a specific time children should return home.
• Teach children to say "NO!" loudly and run to a trusted adult if someone makes them uncomfortable or tries to lure them away.

A Final Reminder

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween, Southfield!
Please do your part to help keep our community's streets safe and enjoyable for all our ghosts, goblins, and superheroes.