HSE Shares Halloween Safety Tips for Parents on Costumes, Treats and Teeth

The HSE’s mychild.ie has shared advice to help parents keep children safe at Halloween, covering costumes, treats, visibility, home safety and oral health.

Dr Abigail Collins, National Clinical Lead, HSE Child Health Public Health and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, said:

“Flames fascinate children and costumes can catch fire.” She advised avoiding lit candles around the home and garden and using battery-operated candles instead. She also said:

“If you are driving at Halloween, remember to slow down and watch out for children in dark costumes.”

On treats, the HSE says soft jellies and small chocolate bars are safe choices for most children. It advises caution with treats that could be a choking risk for younger visitors, including small hard round or oval-shaped sweets such as fruit gums, jellybeans and lollipops, as well as marshmallows, popcorn, chewing gum, whole nuts and small hard chocolates. Nut-free treats are recommended if possible.

For trick-or-treating, the HSE says reflective strips, high visibility clothing and a torch can help children be seen. It recommends having one adult at the front of the group and another at the back to keep watch.

When buying a costume, parents are advised to check for the CE mark and a “flame resistant” label. Wearing “normal” clothes under the costume could provide some protection should the costume catch fire. The HSE also advises avoiding oversized shoes or long material that could cause trips or falls, and checking costumes and accessories for small parts that pose a choking hazard for younger children.

Button batteries, which can be found in some Halloween toys and decorations, should be kept out of children’s reach, as they are harmful if swallowed and a choking risk. The HSE says no lit candles should be left unattended around the home or garden.

If a child’s clothes catch fire, the HSE advises that they stop, drop and roll: stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with their hands and rolling until the fire is out. If they cannot do this, flames should be smothered with a blanket or towel. If skin is burnt and it is safe to do so, the burnt skin should be held under cool running tap water for 20 minutes, and medical help sought right away. In any emergency, phone 999 or 112.

The HSE also highlights vitamin D. From Halloween to St Patrick’s Day, it advises giving children a daily vitamin D supplement. Children aged 1 to 4 years need 5 micrograms, while children aged 5 to 12 years need 10 micrograms.

On oral health, Dr Anne O’Neill, HSE National Oral Health Lead, said:

“Sugar is the one ingredient that has a significant impact on oral health because it’s the food source that the bacteria in your mouth love to eat.”

She encouraged parents to think about the “sugar clock”, which is how many times a day a child eats or drinks something sugary, and said: “Fewer sugar attacks mean better protection for teeth.”

Dr O’Neill added:

“Between meals, it’s best to stick to water or milk.” The HSE’s dental tips include offering treats at mealtimes, avoiding chewy sweets, hard sugar sweets and lollipops, and supervising tooth brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Sugar-free alternatives such as nuts, breadsticks or cheese are also suggested.

More child safety advice is available at mychild.ie. Information on urgent and emergency care options is available from the HSE, and the HSE’s guidance on looking after your child’s teeth is also online. The Poisons Information Line is open 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week, on 01 809 2166. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has advice on costume and product safety at ccpc.ie.