Halloween Safety Tips for Colorado Springs Families: What to Review Before October 31

Halloween is two weeks away. With trick-or-treat plans coming together and costumes already in the house for many families, now is the right time to do a quick run-through on safety before October 31. These aren't new tips — but they're worth going over with kids every year, especially as they get older and start going out with friends instead of adults.

Costume Safety

The biggest costume hazards are the ones that seem minor: trailing fabric that catches on steps or curbs, shoes that don't fit well enough for a long night of walking, and masks that restrict vision or breathing. Before Halloween night, have your child walk around the house in the full costume, including footwear, and watch for anything that could cause a trip. Ill-fitting costume shoes cause more injuries on Halloween than most parents expect.

For masks specifically, consider whether face paint achieves the same look without limiting what your child can see. A mask that blocks peripheral vision is a real hazard on a dark street, especially if your child is moving fast between houses. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends face paint over masks for this reason. If your child insists on a mask, test visibility in dim light before the night itself.

The CPSC recommends flame-resistant costume materials — not all Halloween costumes carry this label, so it's worth checking before you're near jack-o-lanterns or candles. Avoid flowing capes or wide sleeves near open flames.

Visibility on the Street

Colorado Springs neighborhoods vary a lot in how well-lit they are after dark. If you're heading into an area with less street lighting, visibility matters more than you might think. Glow sticks and reflective tape are both more reliable than glow-in-the-dark fabric, which only works in complete darkness and fades quickly. Clip a glow stick to a bag or belt, or add reflective tape to the back of a costume — it's cheap and it works.

For younger kids, carry a flashlight. It's not about seeing where you're going on lit streets; it's about drivers seeing your group at intersections and driveways where sightlines are limited.

Trick-or-Treat Logistics

Stick to familiar, well-lit neighborhoods. If older kids are going out with a group of friends instead of with an adult, set a specific route in advance, agree on a check-in time, and make sure everyone has a phone or a designated adult they can call. Set a curfew that matches what your city or neighborhood is observing — Colorado Springs doesn't have a citywide trick-or-treat curfew, but many neighborhoods and HOAs set informal end times around 8 or 9 PM.

Inspect all candy before kids eat it. This is standard advice for a reason: check for anything unwrapped, anything in packaging that looks opened or resealed, and anything unusual. For children with food allergies, check ingredient labels on anything unfamiliar. The Teal Pumpkin Project (tealPumpkinProject.org) marks houses offering non-food treats as an alternative for allergy families.

Colorado Springs Halloween Events

If your family is doing structured events instead of or in addition to neighborhood trick-or-treating, a few Colorado Springs options have dates through the end of October:

• Boo at the Zoo (Cheyenne Mountain Zoo): Runs on select dates through October 31. Advance tickets required at cmzoo.org. Remaining dates include October 17, 23 through 25, and 30 through 31.
• Garden of the Gods trunk-or-treat (October 25): Free, family-friendly, confirmed at the park.

For structured events like these, review venue rules in advance — most require costumes to be family-appropriate and some have age or costume-type restrictions.

What's Next

Halloween falls on Saturday this year, which gives Colorado Springs families a full weekend. Trick-or-treat in most neighborhoods runs early evening — roughly 5 to 8 PM — though this varies by area. If you're planning Boo at the Zoo, book tickets now at cmzoo.org; the remaining dates are limited and the event sells out. For the full list of Halloween events in Colorado Springs this month, check visitcos.com or the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services calendar.