Top tips for a safe Halloween

Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in Australia with many people using the occasion to dress up, go to themed parties, decorate their house and go trick or treating.

To ensure your night doesn’t end with a fright, follow our safety tips.

Check toys and novelties for button batteries

Check that Halloween novelties are age appropriate and don’t pose choking hazards.

Many small toys and novelty items contain button batteries. When buying light up or musical Halloween novelties that are powered by button batteries, check that the battery compartment is secured with a screw or similar fastener to prevent little ones gaining access to the battery.

In Australia one child a month is seriously injured after swallowing or inserting a button battery, with some of them sustaining lifelong injuries.

Products that comply with mandatory standards will have secure battery compartments and safety labelling.

If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for expert advice. If your child is having any difficulty breathing, ring 000.

See more tips about button battery safety in the video Button batteries: know the risks.

Check ingredient labels

If you plan to use fake tattoos, face paint, makeup or fake blood, check that they come with ingredient labels and keep them handy throughout the night.

If someone in your group has an allergic reaction to a product, having a list of ingredients available to show doctors can save vital time if they need urgent treatment.

Avoid disappearing into the night

When designing or picking a costume make sure it is visible. If you or your children will be wearing black or other dark coloured costumes for Halloween, you could be hard to see in the dark.

To ensure drivers and other trick-or-treaters can see you, add glow sticks or a reflective strip to your costumes and carry a torch.

Don't end your night in a flash of light and a puff of smoke

With so many ready-made costumes, wigs, masks and accessories to choose from make sure you check their labels.

Pick items that are low fire risk and look for labels that state the product is ‘flame resistant’ or ‘fire resistant’. Avoid products that carry warnings such as ‘keep away from flame’ or ‘Warning! Keep away from fire’.

Take care to keep you and your little ones away from open heat sources, including jack-o-lanterns, fireplaces, heaters and candles.