Tips + Advice

Halloween Safety Tips

Our ambassador Constable Bryan Ward, who started the initiative Bryan & Bobby to teach Kiwi kids about safety, has some practical tips up his sleeve for keeping kids safe this Halloween.

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Trick-or-Treating:

• Always go with a parent, caregiver, or older sibling.

• Stay in well-lit streets and familiar neighbourhoods.

• Only visit houses with lights on or Halloween decorations.

• Never go inside someone’s house you don't know

• Use footpaths and cross at pedestrian crossings — look both ways before crossing.

• Carry a torch, glow stick, or wear something reflective so drivers can see you.

• Arrange a meeting point in case you or someone else in your group gets lost.

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Costume Safety:

• Make sure costumes fit properly and don’t drag on the ground.

• Choose face paint instead of masks that block your vision.

• Check costumes are flame-retardant.

• Costumes don’t require realistic weapons so if your props look a little too realistic then maybe leave them at home so you don’t frighten or cause concern to others. 

• Add reflective tape or bright colours to dark costumes.

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Treat Safety:

•  Don’t eat lollies or treats until an adult has checked them.

• Avoid unwrapped or homemade treats from people you don’t know.

• Watch out for food allergies — check ingredients before eating.

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General Safety:

• Be polite and respectful — some people don’t celebrate Halloween 

• Don’t knock on houses with lights off.

• Adults should accompany young children around the neighbourhood but be sure to focus on what is happening not your phone or other distractions.

• Stay together as a group — don’t wander off alone.

• Be careful around pets, especially dogs.

• Keep an eye out for traffic — remember some drivers may not expect trick-or-treaters.

• ​Please remember to look out for each other, and if you see any suspicious activity happening, please contact 111 immediately.

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Be aware that not every door you knock on may be a treat, they may reply trick - if they answer with “trick” please remember not to use threats or bad behaviour as a penalty for this option. Simply use your wit, talent or good manners to come back to them with something fun for all involved like "I will cast a spell and am a powerful wizard, spirit etc or you shall not pass" something fun or simply just move on with no hard feelings.

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If you choose not to take part in Halloween it might be advisable to hang a sign on your gate or letterbox stating something like "No trick or treaters please but have a spooktacular Halloween".​

Here are some posters you can download and print at home:

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Have fun, stay visible, stay together, and stay safe!