For kids, Halloween is one of the best nights of the year! Candy, costumes, Trick or Treating, and fun with friends. With so many people out and about in the dark on Halloween, it can also be a dangerous night. On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. But DO NOT FEAR! We’ve got a list of Halloween safety tips to keep your kiddos safe and happy while you have a FUN Halloween night!
Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Fall & Halloween Activities for a full list of fun things to do this fall in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Polk County, and Central Florida including pumpkin patches, corn mazes, haunted houses, Halloween events, trunk or treat, drive-thru Halloween attractions and more.
Wondering about the hours for Trick or Treating in Lakeland and nearby communities? Get the details on Polk County Trick or Treat hours and dates. Looking for an event or the best neighborhoods in Lakeland for Trick or Treating? We can help with that too.
Halloween Safety Tips
Pick Safe Costumes
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent trips and falls
- Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision
- Make sure weapon accessories are rubber or plastic so kids can’t hurt themselves or their friends
- Decorate costumes and trick or treat bags with reflective tape or stickers
- Have kids carry or wear glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
- Pick a route in advance
- Go with a group if possible, it’s easier for multiple adults to keep up with all the kids!
- Bring flashlights {with fresh batteries} to light the way
- Only approach well-lit homes
- Teach your children to accept treats at the door and never go inside
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks, and be sure to WALK, not run!
- Put phones and iPods away while walking and keep heads up
- Remain on well-lit streets and always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision from a responsible adult. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
Be A Safe Driver
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods – Children are excited on Halloween and may not be paying attention
- Take extra time to look for kids at intersections
- Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings (AKA – PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN!)
- Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier than normal
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours
Candy Safety
- When kids
askbeg to eat candy while you’re out walking, be sure to check what they are eating - Sort through candy at the end of the night and be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened.
At Home
- Be sure the front of your house is well lit and the walkway is clear if you’re giving out candy
- Keep front porch lights off if you don’t want Trick or Treaters OR aren’t going to be home
- Halloween is also a night police see a spike in crime. Be sure to arm security systems, lock doors and vehicles. Leave lights or a television on inside so it doesn’t look like an empty house.
Wishing you a SAFE, FUN & CANDY FILLED Halloween!
Please check directly with event organizers for specific dates, current ticket prices, advance registration, and any last-minute changes. While we do our best to provide accurate information, we include an outside link so you can verify the details for all events and activities.
Lakeland + Polk County Trick or Treating Events on Halloween Weekend
If you prefer a community or church event for your Trick or Treating fun, there are plenty of Halloween events in Lakeland and across Polk County. Below you’ll find events on Halloween weekend, or you can look through the full list of Halloween events in October.
Fall + Halloween Activity Guide
🌽 Corn Mazes 🎃 Pumpkin Patches 💀 Haunted Houses 🍬 Halloween Events in Polk County 👸 Neighborhoods for Trick or Treating 🍭 Trick or Treat Hours and more!