Halloween is a magical night filled with costumes, candy, and fun, but it’s essential to prioritize safety for both children and parents. As the temperatures drop and the evening darkens, being prepared can make all the difference for a successful night of trick-or-treating. From choosing the right costumes to staying visible and warm, here are some tips to help you and your family stay safe this Halloween.

Choosing Safe Halloween Costumes for Nighttime

When selecting costumes for trick-or-treating, safety should always be a priority. Costumes should be both visible and comfortable, especially as the sun sets and visibility decreases. Here are some essential costume tips:

Bright Colors and Reflective Elements
- Opt for bright-colored costumes or costumes with reflective tape or patches. If your child’s favorite costume is dark, consider adding reflective stickers or glow-in-the-dark accessories to ensure they are visible to drivers and other trick-or-treaters.
Avoid Long, Flowing Costumes
- While capes, skirts, and robes might look magical, they can quickly become a tripping hazard. Choose costumes that are the correct length and fit snugly to prevent trips and falls.
Comfort and Warmth
- Halloween temperatures in the 40s and 50s can be chilly, so select costumes that allow for layers. Thermals, long-sleeve shirts, or fleece leggings underneath costumes can help keep kids warm without compromising their look.
Safe Accessories
- If your child’s costume includes props like swords or wands, ensure they are soft and flexible to avoid injuries. Also, avoid masks that obstruct vision, as this can make navigating in the dark more challenging.

Dressing Parents for Visibility and Warmth

Parents often accompany their children while trick-or-treating, and it’s just as important for adults to stay visible and warm. Here are some tips for parents:

Wear Reflective Clothing or Accessories
- Invest in a reflective vest, jacket, or sash that can be worn over your clothes. Reflective bands on your arms or shoes also work well to increase visibility.
Warm Layers
- Dressing in warm layers is crucial, as standing or walking outside for long periods can quickly lead to a chill. Consider thermal layers, warm hats, and gloves. A headlamp or small flashlight can help with visibility for both you and your child.

Driving Safely on Halloween

Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights for pedestrians, as trick-or-treaters often cross streets unexpectedly. Drivers should exercise extra caution to keep everyone safe:

Slow Down and Stay Alert
- Drive slower than usual in residential areas and watch for children walking or running across the street, especially in dark costumes. Keep distractions to a minimum and focus on your surroundings.
Use Headlights and Be Extra Cautious at Intersections
- Keep your headlights on at all times, even during twilight hours, to increase visibility. Be especially careful when entering or exiting driveways and at intersections, as children may appear suddenly.
Communicate with Other Drivers
- If you’re dropping kids off or picking them up, pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and make sure other drivers can see you clearly. Avoid double parking, as this can obstruct other vehicles’ views.

Local Halloween Shops for Costumes and Accessories

Finding the right costume and accessories is an important part of preparing for a safe Halloween. If you’re looking for reflective gear, warm layers, or fun costume accessories, here are some local Halloween shops and thrift stores nearby:

Grand Forks, ND:
- Spirit Halloween in Grand Forks offers a wide range of costumes for all ages and accessories to keep trick-or-treaters safe and visible. They stock reflective items and warm costume layers for those chilly Halloween nights.
St. Cloud, MN:
- Party City in St. Cloud is a go-to destination for costumes, accessories, and safety items. They offer costumes with built-in reflective elements and layers that can help keep trick-or-treaters warm and visible.
Detroit Lakes, MN:
- The Boys & Girls Club Thrift Store & More in Detroit Lakes has a plentiful supply of preowned costumes, accessories, and clothing to help you stay safe and stylish on Halloween. Plus, if you’re looking for some last-minute decorations, they have that, too!
Alexandria, MN:
- Goodwill in Alexandria has a wide selection of new and preowned costumes, accessories, and safety gear for all ages. You can get creative by choosing pieces to create your own unique DIY costume or buy a manufactured one.
Fergus Falls, MN:
- The Salvation Army offers a variety of preowned Halloween costumes and accessories, as well as numerous DIY options. Give a costume new life, or create your own! They even have a section for art supplies and craft supplies, so you can easily create a DIY costume or enhance the one you already have!
Winona, MN:
- Goodwill in Winona has a great selection of clothing and craft supplies to create the perfect DIY costume. They also have new accessories and preowned costumes for all ages.

Follow Safety Tips And Have A Fun Halloween Night!

By planning ahead and following these safety tips, you can ensure a fun and safe Halloween for the entire family. Whether it’s choosing visible costumes, layering up for warmth, or driving cautiously, every small step helps keep the night enjoyable and worry-free. And don’t forget to check out your local shops for reflective gear and cold-weather essentials to prepare for a cozy and safe Halloween night. Happy trick-or-treating!