Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year but between the sugar rush and spooky fun, it’s also a night that calls for a little extra care.

At Capital Waste Services, safety isn’t just a priority, it’s a core value that guides everything we do. From our drivers out on the roads to the families celebrating in our neighborhoods, safety is what keeps our communities strong.

So before your little ghosts and goblins hit the streets, here are some frightfully good Halloween safety tips (and a few spooky facts!) to make sure everyone enjoys a fun and safe night.

1. Bright Costumes = Safe Kids

When the sun goes down, visibility becomes one of the biggest Halloween hazards.

📊 Did you know? Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year (Safe Kids Worldwide).

✅ Choose light-colored costumes or add reflective tape to dark ones.

✅ Glow sticks, flashlights, or LED bracelets make for a safe and fun accessory.

✅ Masks can limit vision, try face paint or makeup instead so kids can see clearly.

2. Stick Together and Stay Alert

Trick-or-treating is always safer in groups — and more fun too!

👣 Walk in groups or with an adult, and use sidewalks whenever possible.

🚦 Cross streets at corners and crosswalks — not between parked cars.

📱 Keep phones and devices tucked away while walking; focus on the road and surroundings.

📊 Safety Fact: The most dangerous trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., when visibility drops and traffic increases.

 3. Drivers: Slow Down in Neighborhoods

If you’re behind the wheel on Halloween night, remember that kids can be unpredictable — especially when they’re excited about candy!

🚘 Drive slowly through neighborhoods and residential areas.

🎃 Stay alert for kids crossing mid-block or running between houses.

🦺 Turn on your headlights early to increase visibility, even before dark.

📊 Fact: 65% of pedestrian fatalities on Halloween occur away from intersections — meaning extra caution goes a long way.

4. Safe Homes for Trick-or-Treaters

If you’re passing out candy, help make your home a safe stop on every child’s route.

🕯️ Keep walkways clear of cords, hoses, and decorations that could cause trips.

💡 Turn on porch lights to signal that you’re participating.

🐶 Secure pets indoors — even the friendliest pets can get startled by costumes.

🔥 Use battery-powered candles instead of open flames in pumpkins or decorations.

 5. Costume Safety 101

Halloween costumes should be spooky — not hazardous.

🧵 Make sure costumes fit properly to prevent trips and falls.

🔥 Avoid long, trailing fabrics that could catch fire.

💡 Add reflective tape or glow gear to make kids visible to drivers.

👟 Choose comfortable shoes — because trick-or-treating is basically a mini marathon!

📊 Quick Halloween Safety Facts

  • 🎃 82% of parents don’t use reflective gear on kids’ costumes — but doing so can cut accident risk dramatically.
  • 🚸 Halloween sees a 43% spike in pedestrian injuries compared to other nights.
  • 🕯️ Candle-related fires double on Halloween night.
  • 🚗 Most accidents happen within a few blocks of home, so stay alert even close to your neighborhood.

 

Safety First, Always ⚠️

At Capital Waste Services, we believe safety starts with awareness — on our trucks, in our offices, and in our neighborhoods.

This Halloween, let’s all do our part to protect the little superheroes, princesses, and monsters who make our communities so special.

From all of us at CWS, have a safe, fun, and spooky Halloween, because no matter the season, we’re committed to keeping our neighborhoods full of Local Faces, Greener Places, and Safer Spaces.