Busy, dark evenings mean small mishaps. This guide covers costume visibility, a pocket first aid kit, and simple steps for cuts, burns, nosebleeds and blisters while trick-or-treating.
Halloween is busy, dark, and full of distractions — the perfect recipe for small mishaps like cuts, grazes, nosebleeds, and blisters. Use this guide to prep a pocket first-aid kit, make costumes safer, and handle the most common issues quickly while you’re out.
Pack a pocket first-aid kit (lightweight and easy to carry)
Assorted plasters (water-resistant and fabric)
Small low-adherent dressing and sterile gauze pad
Microporous tape
Antiseptic wipes (for intact skin around minor wounds)
Blunt-tip scissors and tweezers
Nitrile gloves and a small waste bag
Saline eye wash pod (single-use) if space allows
Foil emergency blanket (packs flat)
First-aid guidance card Tip: Keep the kit in a cross-body bag or inner coat pocket where an adult can reach it fast.
Before you go: quick safety checks
Costumes: Choose fitted outfits that won’t trip kids up. Avoid trailing fabric and long cords.
Visibility: Add reflective stickers or bands and carry a torch or clip-on light.
Footwear: Closed, comfy shoes; avoid new shoes that rub.
Face paints: Patch-test earlier in the day; avoid eye rims and broken skin.
Pumpkins: Use a stable surface and short-handled carving tools; keep candles and lighters out of children’s reach (LED tea lights are best).
On the night
Roads: Walk on pavements, cross at lit points, and keep distractions (phones) away near kerbs.
Treats: Check for allergens before eating; avoid unwrapped items.
Pets: Keep dogs on leads and away from costumes that could snag or startle them.
Meeting point: Agree where the first-aid kit is and who’s carrying it.
Simple steps for common Halloween injuries
Minor cuts and grazes
Put on gloves.
Clean around the wound; dab dry skin (not the wound) with a clean tissue.
Apply a low-adherent dressing or plaster; secure with tape if needed.
Seek medical advice for deep, dirty, or persistent bleeding wounds.
Pumpkin-carving nicks
Rinse under clean running water.
Apply direct pressure with sterile gauze for a few minutes.
Cover with a plaster or small dressing; elevate if on a finger.
If bleeding won’t stop or the cut gapes, get medical help.
Sparkle or debris in the eye
Do not rub.
Rinse with sterile saline or clean, lukewarm water.
Cover lightly and seek medical advice if pain or vision changes persist.
Nosebleeds (runs, bumps, cold air)
Sit down and lean forward slightly.
Pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes; breathe through the mouth.
Repeat once if needed; if bleeding is heavy or persistent, seek medical help.
Blisters and hot spots
If skin is intact, protect with a plaster or blister pad.
Do not intentionally burst blisters while out; pad and reduce friction.
Address rubbing shoes and socks when you get home.
Small burns from candles or hot lanterns
Cool the area under cool running water for up to 20 minutes.
Remove jewellery and tight items near the burn.
Cover with a sterile non-adherent dressing or a single layer of clean cling film.
Avoid creams or oils on fresh burns.
After you’re home
Check any dressings the same evening; replace if wet or dirty.
Note what you used and restock your kit straight away.
Store the kit dry and accessible for bonfire events and winter outings.
Choosing the right kit
Compact/mini kit for trick-or-treating: glove-box or pocket size with plasters, wipes, gloves, and a foil blanket.
Family kit for parties and group outings: extra dressings, triangular bandage, more gloves and gauze.
Refill packs to replace used items so your kit is always ready.
