With Halloween celebrations tomorrow, families across the UK are preparing for a night of spooky fun. To help ensure the festivities are memorable for all the right reasons, High Speed Training, a leading provider of online safety and compliance courses, has issued key safety advice for parents, guardians, and homeowners.

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning & Development, said: “Halloween is a fantastic time for families, but it’s easy to overlook potential hazards in the excitement. From the fire risk of Jack-o-lanterns to the importance of checking treats for allergens, a few simple precautions can make all the difference.”

Halloween safety tips

High Speed Training advises the public to follow these essential safety tips:

Beware of open flames: Fire is one of the most significant risks on Halloween.

Safer Flames: Use battery-powered LED candles in Jack-o-lanterns instead of real candles. If you use a real candle, opt for a small tea light and never leave it unattended.
Stable Surfaces: Place pumpkins on a flat, stable surface, far away from flammable items like curtains, decorations, and dried-out pumpkins, which can easily catch fire.
Flammable Costumes: Even CE-marked costumes can be highly flammable. Keep children away from all open flames. Trailing elements like capes and veils are especially dangerous.
Decorate Delicately: Fake cobwebs and other spooky decorations can also be flammable. Keep them well clear of heat sources.
Carve carefully: Pumpkin carving is a popular activity, but their tough skins can be difficult to pierce, leading to injuries.

Leave it to Adults: Ensure you use a sharp and sturdy knife to cut through the pumpkin, and never let children carve pumpkins alone.
Involve Children Safely: Let children get creative by drawing their design on the pumpkin or paper for an adult to carve.
Stay together, stay safe:

Dr Anderson continues: “Group safety when trick-or-treating is essential. Always have a responsible adult accompany young children, and make sure to plan your route in advance, sticking to familiar, well-lit areas.

“To ensure children can be seen by drivers in the dark, add a glow stick or reflective tape to your child’s costume. And, finally, remind children to be respectful of property and to skip any houses that clearly display a ‘no trick-or-treating’ sign.”

Check before you snack: Checking treats is vital.

Allergy Alert: The most significant risk is allergies. Adults must check the ingredients of all treats before children eat them.
Check Labels: The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has warned of illegally imported sweets that may contain additives banned in the UK. Check for legitimate labelling.
Check Dates: Ensure sweets are within their expiry date, as Halloween can be seen as a chance to clear out some old sweets tucked in the back of cupboards.
By following this advice, families can help ensure Halloween is a safe and spooky night for all.