Mini goblins, Barbies and superheroes will be trick-or-treating across the D.C. area Tuesday evening. While Halloween is all about spookiness and candy, accidents and thefts can happen easily during the evening.
An easy way to stay safe on Halloween is to be vigilant and prepared. That can mean making sure your children are wearing bright costumes or keeping lights on while you are away from your home.
Below are additional safety tips to keep your kids and home safe on the night of Halloween:
Halloween safety tips: When you're out and about
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. >Sign up here.
D.C. police are hosting Safe Haven events at various departments throughout the city. News4 stopped by a haunted house at the Third District Police Station along U Street NW.
“This is an opportunity for our residents, our visitors, our children, our party goers alike, to come enjoy a Safe Haven event that's off the streets, out of the weather because we're indoors, and it gives them an opportunity to really just have some fun,” Metropolitan Police Department Cmdr. James Boteler said.
For a full list of Halloween Safe Haven events in D.C. go here.
The first tip for parents is to stay in well-lit areas when you're outside and walking around. It is recommended that kids stay in a gaggle of ghosts, with adults accompanying them for extra safety.
Trick-or-treaters should use glowsticks or flashlights to light their way to candy. Wearing bright clothes or a neon costume will also help them stand out during Halloween.
“We want to make sure tonight is a safe fun time for folks," Boteler said. "But we also want to make sure that folks aren't out there taking advantage of the extra people that might be on the street tonight.”
Fairfax County Police said drivers should remain alert on Halloween and be prepared for kids roaming around the neighborhood.
“Slow down extra, pay a little more attention to your speed and slowdown in your neighborhoods,” Fairfax County Deputy Chief of Police Robert Blakley said. “Expect the unexpected; you might see a ghost or goblin jump out from in between two bushes or two cars.”
Street safety tips include being aware of your surroundings, avoiding distractions and following the rules of the road.
Halloween safety tips: Keeping your home secure
Halloween is supposed to be a fun night, but things can take a spooky turn due to the risk of thefts, burglaries or vandalism.
“Halloween claims for theft are up 15% compared to other days of the year,” Jennifer Wilbert, an assistant vice president at the insurance company Travelers said.
Travelers looked at their data going back 10 years and noticed claims for vandalism and malicious mischief go up 74% on Halloween compared to the rest of the year.
“Certainly, a time of year where, you know, maybe you're not at home, you're out for the evening,” Wilbert said. “So, just a little bit more susceptible to some of those claim activities occurring.”
They also found that only 52% of people lock their doors when they go out trick-or-treating.
Here are a few simple things you can do to avoid theft and vandalism:
- Lock your doors, and give the appearance your home is occupied by leaving your lights and TV on
- Let a neighbor know that you're not going to be home and ask if they can keep an eye on your place
- Don't leave a spare key out in the obvious spot
- Lock your car doors or put your car in a garage. Remove all personal property
- Make sure your outdoor lighting is turned toward your cameras (if you have them) to deter thieves
Property damage claims also go up on Halloween, mostly because of accidents such as leaving a fire or candles burning.
To prevent injuries from trips or falls, clear walkways of debris and obstacles for those coming to your property. Included in that: Make sure you rake up any leaves -- they could make your driveway or sidewalk slippery otherwise.
Halloween forecast
Tuesday's highs will be in the mid-50s after six days of temps in the 70s. The spooky drop in temperatures will make for a cold evening in the 40s.
After early clouds and a few raindrops, skies have been brightening as the day goes on. Most of the D.C. area should be dry by nighttime, but rain may linger in southern Maryland as late as 6 p.m., according to Storm Team4.
As for Halloween weather extremes, the warmest and rainiest we've had was in 2019, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.
“We made it to 77 degrees, and we had well over an inch of rain. I remember that was some soggy goblins,” Bell said.
The coldest recent Halloween was in 2011, when we dropped to a bone-tingling 36°.
The only time the D.C. area has had snow on Halloween happened 98 years ago in 1925, with 2/10 of an inch, Bell said.
