CAA Niagara’s Fang-tastic Tips for a Safe Halloween

Costumes are ready, treat bags are waiting, and Niagara neighbourhoods will soon be full of families making Halloween memories. A little planning can help everyone enjoy the evening, whether you’re walking door to door, welcoming visitors, or driving through a busy street.

Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. Daylight Saving Time ends afterward, at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks turn back one hour. The clock change won’t happen during trick-or-treating, but late celebrations can leave everyone feeling tired, and evenings will get darker earlier in the days that follow.

Get Ready for Halloween

• Help costumes stand out. Choose bright colours, add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags, and bring a flashlight or glow stick. Make sure costumes don’t block a child’s sight or hearing; makeup can be easier to see through than a mask.
• Plan your route. Stick to familiar streets and sidewalks. Cross at intersections or marked crosswalks, and look left, right, and left again before stepping off the curb. Avoid cutting between parked cars.
• Keep the group together. Young children should go with an adult; older children can travel with friends on an agreed route. Watch for vehicles entering or leaving driveways.
• Make a safe stop at each door. Visit homes with porch lights on, and remind children not to enter a home or vehicle. Check treats for your children before they eat them.

Drive Carefully Through Neighbourhoods

Residential streets can be especially busy on Halloween. Children may be excited and focused on the next door rather than the next car, so allow extra time for your trip and be ready to stop.

• Slow down and scan widely. Check crosswalks, intersections, driveways and the spaces between parked vehicles, particularly near parks, schools and community events.
• Be seen and stay focused. Turn on your headlights before dusk, put your phone away and keep your attention on the road.
• Leave room to react. Keep extra space behind the vehicle ahead, and watch carefully when turning or backing out of a driveway.
• Make pickups predictable. If you’re driving children between neighbourhoods, pull over in a safe place and signal before stopping or rejoining traffic. Check that bulky costumes don’t interfere with a car seat, booster seat or seat belt.

Make Your Doorstep Safe and Welcoming

If you’re handing out candy, clear leaves and obstacles from your walkway and keep the path to your door well lit. Battery-operated or solar-powered lights can brighten a jack-o’-lantern without an open flame. If you’re able, offer a few treats that accommodate common food allergies or intolerances.

Adjust to the Time Change After Halloween

Before bed on Saturday night, set any clocks that don’t update automatically back one hour. Even with an extra hour on the clock, a late night may leave you tired. 

As standard time brings earlier darkness in the following days, check that your headlights, taillights and brake lights are working. Watch for people walking or cycling during the evening commute, and give yourself time to adjust your sleep schedule.

Halloween excitement should be partnered with safety. Stay visible, take your time, and look out for one another. For more practical road safety advice from CAA Niagara, visit our road safety resources.