FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2025
Contact: Madison Newton, n3wtonm@gmail.com
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Have Fun and Stay Safe This Halloween!
A Column from the Desk of Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C-Deerpark)
Halloween is this Friday, Oct. 31, 2025!
With nearly 75% of people in the U.S. celebrating Halloween or participating in Halloween-related activities each year, this spooky holiday is one of the most popular in America. In fact, according to the 2024 Farmers’ Almanac report, approximately 35 million children participate in trick-or-treating annually.
As we all look forward to Halloween fun this week, it is important to also refresh our knowledge on how to stay safe. I encourage everyone to review the following Halloween safety tips my team and I have compiled based on information from a variety of sources.
For Trick-or-treaters:
- Always be visible – No matter what your costume is, be sure to use reflective tape and carry glow sticks and flashlights to help drivers spot you at night.
- Bundle up – Check the weather before leaving for trick-or-treating. Layer clothing underneath costumes, use hand warmers and add accessories like hats and gloves to stay warm.
- Travel in groups – Trick-or-treat with a trusted adult or in a large group, and always travel together in well-lit, familiar areas.
- Always walk, never run – Stay on sidewalks, cross streets at corners or crosswalks and always watch where you step.
- Check all candy before eating – Do not eat candy while trick-or-treating. Wait until you get home so an adult can check each piece for tampering or choking hazards.
- Never enter someone’s home for candy – Stay on the porch or in the front of the house in view of your parents or guardians when asking for candy. Never enter someone’s residence or car.
For parents and guardians:
- Enhance costumes – Ensure your child’s treat bag and/or costume is equipped with reflective tape or glow sticks to make them more visible, and choose face paint over masks when possible so your child is able to see clearly.
- Carve pumpkins safely – Have an adult carve pumpkins, keep knives and sharp carving tools out of children’s reach and use battery-operated candles or glow sticks inside the pumpkins instead of real candles to prevent fires.
- Keep pets secure – Keep pets inside or leashed to prevent them from biting or jumping on trick-or-treaters.
- Clear a path for trick-or-treaters – Make sure your walkway is clear of any obstacles that could cause a fall, and make sure porch lights or driveway lights are on.
For drivers:
- Be cautious – Slow down in residential areas, turn on your headlights early and be especially alert around trick-or-treaters (young children might be harder to spot and may dart into the street, so always be prepared to stop).
Halloween is a fun holiday to spend with family and friends, but everyone should be alert and look out for each other. This Friday night, have fun and stay safe as you journey around the neighborhoods for scares and sweets!
Assemblyman Brabenec represents the 98th District, which includes the city of Port Jervis, the towns of Deerpark, Greenville, Mount Hope, Wawayanda, Minisink, Warwick, Tuxedo and portions of the towns of Monroe and Ramapo. For more information, please visit his Official Website.