MPD Shares Halloween Safety Tips for DC Families

With Halloween approaching, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is reminding DC families to take a few simple precautions to keep children safe while celebrating.

Whether carving pumpkins, choosing costumes, or heading out for trick-or-treating, MPD encourages parents and guardians to keep safety in mind.

Halloween Safety Tips

• Choose safe costumes. Select bright, reflective, flame-resistant costumes and comfortable shoes. Avoid oversized outfits and masks that obstruct vision.

• Supervise pumpkin carving. Young children should draw designs on pumpkins while adults handle the carving tools.

• Plan your route. Stick to familiar neighborhoods and establish a trick-or-treating route in advance.

• Travel in groups. Children should be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or authorized adult.

• Stay visible. Carry flashlights, use sidewalks, and cross streets at designated crosswalks.

• Stay outside homes. Children should remain on porches or stoops and never enter a stranger's home.

• Be cautious around pets. Animals may become frightened by unfamiliar costumes.

• Inspect Halloween candy. Parents should check all treats before children eat them and discard anything unwrapped, loosely wrapped, or suspicious.

MPD Halloween Events

In addition to sharing safety reminders, MPD sponsors Halloween activities across its seven police districts, providing opportunities for families to celebrate in their communities.

Residents are encouraged to visit mpdc.dc.gov for additional Halloween safety information and updates on community events.

A little preparation can help ensure a fun, safe, and memorable Halloween for families across DC!