Trick-or-Treating This Halloween? Four Things to Check Before You Head Out

Before the costume goes on

Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, and many Little Saigon families will be out trick-or-treating. The FDA keeps an annual safety page that pulls together tips from the FDA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are four things to check, based on that guidance.

Costumes. Look for costumes labeled “flame resistant.” If you make your own, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon.

Choose bright costumes or add reflective tape so drivers can see kids after dark. Make sure costumes aren’t so long that kids could trip.

The FDA also suggests makeup and hats rather than masks, which can block a child’s vision.

Makeup: test it a day or two early

Skin reactions are the next thing to watch. The FDA recommends testing makeup at least 24 to 48 hours in advance by putting a small amount on the arm of the person who will wear it.

If a rash, redness, swelling or other irritation shows up, the FDA says that may be a sign of an allergy. Don’t use the product, and check with a health professional if needed.

Bright makeup colors are popular at Halloween. The FDA suggests checking its list of approved color additives, especially for makeup used around the eyes.

Colored contacts are not just an accessory

Colored, “cat eye” or glow-in-the-dark lenses are still contact lenses, which are regulated medical devices. According to the FDA, selling decorative contacts without a prescription is illegal — yet they still turn up online and in costume shops and salons, especially around Halloween.

The FDA warns that lenses used without a prescription and proper fitting can cause infections and eye injuries, including blindness. If you have never worn contacts, the agency says Halloween should not be the first time.

Check the candy bag at home

The last stop of the night is the candy bag. The FDA says kids shouldn’t eat any candy until it has been checked at home. A snack before heading out makes it easier to wait.

When you go through the haul:

1. If your child has a food allergy, read labels to make sure the allergen isn’t present.
2. Tell kids not to accept or eat anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.
3. For young children, remove choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candy or small toys.
4. Look for signs of tampering — unusual appearance, discoloration, tiny pinholes or torn wrappers — and throw away anything suspicious.

The FDA’s advice is general guidance repeated every Halloween. It is not evidence that candy in the neighborhood has been tampered with.

A few minutes of checking before and after makes for a happier night. The rest is taking photos of your kids in costume.

Translation assisted by AI and reviewed by an editor.