Laced candy isn't a Halloween threat to kids – drivers are. How to stay safe

Growing up, children are always told not to accept candy from strangers.

Halloween, when children don their costumes and parade from street to street, may be the only exception to this advice.

For parents, the possibility of harm coming to a child is scarier than any skeleton or ghost costume. But despite the myths, it's not the drug-laced candy or sharp objects in trick-or-treating buckets that parents need to worry about. The Washington Post reported in 2023 that laced Halloween candy is essentially non-existent and poses no threat at all.

In fact, the biggest safety hazard for children on Halloween is getting hit by a vehicle. Children are twice as likely to be hit and killed by a car on October 31, according to law firm Rosenbaum Injury Law. According to the Children's Safety Network, it's the deadliest night of the year for pedestrians.

“We know that many Texans, young and old, will celebrate Halloween this year,” said Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw. “We ask that you take a few simple safety measures – like staying visible, traveling in groups and remaining vigilant – to keep everyone safe and keep Halloween a pleasant night for everyone across the state.”

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The real danger for children on Halloween

Unsupervised children are at greatest risk on Halloween. According to Rosenbaum Law, 32 percent of children who die on Halloween are children between the ages of 12 and 15. 23 percent are children between 5 and 8 years old. Most pedestrian fatalities on Halloween also occur between 6 and 7 p.m. And about 23 percent of pedestrian deaths on Halloween involve a drunk driver.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission breaks down Halloween-related injuries on its website. The safety organization estimates that an average of 3,200 Halloween-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2022. Here's the breakdown:

• 55 percent came from pumpkin carving

• 25 percent were due to falls while trick-or-treating, from costumes or from hanging decorations

• 20 percent came from various situations such as “lacements, choking and other injuries related to costumes, pumpkins, decorations, allergic reactions and rashes.”

• Of the injuries mentioned above, 46 percent were minors.

Halloween safety tips for children and families

Texas DPS has put together a Halloween safety guide to stay safe this year. Here are some tips to help you get home healthy on October 31st:

• If the costume is a dark color, be sure to add reflective tape to help drivers see pedestrians at night.

• Face painting is a better option than masks to allow children to develop their full vision.

• No jay walking. Always walk on sidewalks and be sure to use zebra crossings.

• It's a good idea to bring flashlights, glow sticks, or portable lights to increase visibility.

• Props and accessories should be soft and not capable of causing damage.

• Set a meeting point in advance before hitting the road in case someone gets lost.

• Stay in familiar areas and have adult supervision.

• Only approach well-lit houses and never enter a stranger's house or car to buy candy.

• Children should know the phone numbers of parents and guardians and how to call 911 in an emergency.

• Have an adult inspect candy if you are trick-or-treating and never eat anything unwrapped.

• Visit the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry, which provides a map of where registered sex offenders live in a specific area.

Halloween safety tips for drivers

For those driving on Halloween, Texas DPS recommends the following practices to ensure safety:

• If you drink alcohol, take other precautions to ensure you don't drink and drive.

• As a driver, do not assume that pedestrians are paying attention. Watch out for children crossing the street.

• Everyone in the car should wear a seatbelt.

• Driving slower makes sense considering how many pedestrians and dark costumes mingle at night.

• Neighborhoods and other trick-or-treating destinations should encourage drivers to exercise extra caution.

• All distractions (especially mobile devices) should be put aside. If the driver needs to follow a map, use the passenger assistant.

• Drive defensively and be extra careful because of the holiday.

• “Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number saved in your phone. Dial 1-800-525-5555 for any type of assistance,” says Texas DPS. You can also find this number on the back of a driver's license.