Halloween Safety Tips for a Safe and Spooky Night in Your Community

As Halloween approaches, communities across the country are getting ready for one of the most exciting nights of the year. Streets will soon be filled with little ghosts, superheroes, pumpkins, and more in search of candy, and with all that fun comes a shared responsibility to keep everyone safe. 

Capital Strategic Solutions (CSS) works closely with municipalities to help promote public awareness and safety, and Halloween is the perfect opportunity to remind residents how small actions can make a big difference in keeping our neighborhoods safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone. 

Here are a few key reminders your community can share with residents before October 31st: 

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips

• Stay visible: Costumes should include reflective tape or glow sticks, and trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights to make them visible to drivers. 
• Travel in groups: Children should walk in small groups with an adult and stick to familiar, well-lit neighborhoods. 
• Use sidewalks and crosswalks: Always stay on sidewalks when possible, and cross only at corners or designated crosswalks, never between parked cars. 

Pedestrian and Driver Awareness

Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for foot traffic, and a time when extra caution goes a long way. 

• Drivers: Slow down, especially in residential areas, and watch for children who may dart into the road unexpectedly. 
• Pedestrians: Always make eye contact with drivers before crossing and avoid distractions like cell phones or headphones. 
• Municipal reminder: Consider temporary signage or crosswalk cones in high-traffic neighborhoods to encourage safe walking routes.

Preventing Litter and Stormwater Pollution 

After the fun ends, litter can quickly turn into a stormwater problem. Candy wrappers, costume accessories, and party debris often end up in the street, where they can wash into storm drains and pollute local waterways. 

Municipalities can remind residents to: 

• Dispose of litter properly, wrappers, decorations, and party supplies should go in the trash, not the street. 
• Keeping storm drains clear, fallen leaves, pumpkins, and yard waste can block drains and lead to localized flooding. 
• Choose eco-friendly decorations, reusable materials and LED lights reduce waste and energy use. 

Even small cleanup efforts after Halloween help protect water quality and reduce maintenance burdens for DPW crews. 

Community & Municipal Tips

Halloween also gives municipalities an opportunity to show community presence and preparedness. 

• Consider coordinating with local police or DPW for extra patrols in busy neighborhoods. 
• Use social media to share safety messages and weather updates. 
• Host a post-Halloween “Clean Sweep” event to engage local youth groups and families in keeping neighborhoods tidy. 

Halloween is a night built on community, neighbors opening their doors, kids exploring safely, and everyone looking out for one another. With a few simple precautions, we can ensure the celebration remains fun, safe, and environmentally responsible. 

From all of us at Capital Strategic Solutions, have a safe, spooky, and stormwater-smart Halloween!