Celebrate Halloween without a fright: What every family should know before trick-or-treating

HOUSTON – Halloween is almost here, and that means costumes, candy, and neighborhoods buzzing with little ghosts, goblins, witches and action heroes. It’s one of the most exciting nights of the year, and with a few simple tips from Rania Mankarious of Crime Stoppers of Houston, your family can enjoy a night that’s both fun and safe.

🎃🎃 Safety first on the streets

Before kids dash out for treats, it’s good to know why safety matters.

In 2024, Houston reported more than 66,000 crashes, including over 1,300 pedestrian-involved accidents. Kids are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween, and pedestrian deaths are about 43% higher than on a typical day. When Halloween falls on a weekday, crash rates tend to climb even more—and this year the spooky holiday falls on a Friday.

Tips from Mankarious for drivers:

• Slow down in neighborhoods and turn headlights on early.
• Watch for kids crossing the street or darting between cars.
• Avoid distractions like texting while driving or listening to loud music.
• Never drive impaired—use a rideshare or designate a sober driver.
• Stay alert when backing out of driveways.

Tips from Mankarious for families:

• Stick to familiar, well-lit neighborhoods with sidewalks.
• Treat homes without porch lights as ‘closed.’
• Travel in groups and teach kids to walk, not run, and look both ways.
• Check the Texas Public Sex Offender Registry before selecting routes (Texas DPS).
• Children under 12 should have an adult with them.
• Agree on a meeting spot if anyone gets separated, and make sure kids carry ID and a phone.
• Be conspicuously visible by adding reflective tape, glow sticks, or LEDs to costumes.
• Skip masks that block vision to see your surroundings and use face paint.

🎃🎃 Treat kids with candy and a little extra care

We’ve all heard the “poisoned candy” stories—and while most are myths, Mankarious emphasizes it’s still important to be cautious.

Candy tips from Mankarious for parents:

• Wait until you’re home to inspect all the candy before the kids eat it.
• Toss anything unwrapped or suspicious.
• Talk to teens about the danger of accepting unknown treats and accidental ingestion.
• Watch for food allergies—look for Teal Pumpkin homes offering allergen-free goodies.
• Call 911 immediately if something seems wrong.

🎃🎃 Watch out for digital tricks

Halloween isn’t just happening on the streets anymore—it’s online too. Kids post costumes, routes, and live updates, sometimes without realizing how much they’re sharing. Teens glued to phones can also be distracted while walking.

Digital safety reminders from Mankarious:

• Turn off geotagging before posting.
• Wait until you’re home to post photos or videos.
• Encourage kids to travel in groups and keep phones in pockets while walking.
• Check social media privacy settings ahead of time.
• Remind kids not to accept friend requests or DMs from strangers.

🎃🎃 Safe community options

If you’d prefer a lower-risk alternative, Mankarious suggests Trunk-or-Treat events hosted by schools, churches or parks. Kids can still enjoy costumes and candy in a fun, community-centered setting.

With Rania Mankarious’s practical tips, your family can have a spooky night that’s safe, enjoyable, and stress-free.

For more advice from Mankarious on any subject, follow instagram.com/theraniareport. See her complete interview in the video above.

Visit crime-stoppers.org for more information about their programs.