A person is applying face paint to a child. The child has a painted skull face design on the cheek and forehead and is wearing a black skeleton T-shirt.

Halloween is a time for spooky costumes, glowing pumpkins, and trick-or-treating. But while you’re getting ready for a night of frightful fun, a few simple safety checks can help make this Halloween safer for everyone.

Button batteries: a hidden hazard

Halloween toys and decorations can hide a serious hazard — button and coin batteries. These batteries can be found in light-up or musical novelties such as jack-o’-lanterns, flashing wands, cauldrons, torches and battery-operated candles.

These tiny batteries can cause serious internal injuries and burns if swallowed or inserted into the body and can be life-threatening. They’re also a choking risk, especially for young children.

Choose products where the battery compartment is securely fastened with a screw or other mechanism so the battery can’t be easily accessed.

Products that comply with mandatory standards will have secure battery compartments and warnings about the hazards posed by these batteries.

Keep loose and spare batteries well out of children’s reach.

Be aware that low-cost, mass-produced Halloween items may be poorly made. This means button or coin batteries are more likely to come loose if products are dropped or damaged.

If you think a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Then call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for fast and expert advice.

See more tips about button battery safety in the video, Button batteries: know the risks (external site) (external site).

Check ingredient labels

Face paint, fake blood and novelty tattoos can transform a Halloween costume, but it’s important to know what you’re putting on your skin. Some cosmetic ingredients may cause irritation or rashes, or in rare instances severe allergic reactions.

Before applying Halloween makeup:

  • read the ingredient label and follow the product directions
  • avoid products without clear labelling
  • choose products from reputable brands and suppliers
  • consider doing a patch test first, particularly when using a new product.

Keep the products with you throughout the evening. If a reaction occurs, having a list of ingredients available to show doctors can save vital time if urgent treatment is needed.

Avoid disappearing into the night

When the sun goes down, visibility matters! Help your trick-or-treaters stand out — not disappear into the darkness.

To ensure drivers and other trick-or-treaters can see you:

  • add glow sticks or a reflective strip to your costumes or bags
  • use light-up accessories
  • break up dark costumes with bold, bright colours
  • carry a torch to light your path and be seen by others.

Dress up, but keep fire down

With so many ready-made costumes, wigs, masks, and accessories to choose from make sure you check their labels.

Pick items that are low fire risk and look for labels that state the product is ‘flame resistant’ or ‘fire resistant’ — but remember, even flame-resistant materials can still burn. Take care to keep you and your little ones away from open heat sources such as jack-o-lanterns, fireplaces, heaters and candles.

Be especially cautious with products labelled:

  • ‘keep away from flame’
  • ‘Warning! Keep away from fire’.

And take extra care with loose fabric, flowing sleeves and trailing accessories.

More safety tips

Read more tips on the Product Safety Australia website (external site) (external site).