Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for kids in Hammond, Louisiana. Costumes, candy, and community events like Downtown Hammond’s Trick or Treat fill the streets with laughter and fun. But every year, hospitals and police departments across Tangipahoa Parish report preventable injuries and health scares tied to unsafe candy and poor trick-or-treat visibility. To help keep your children safe, the Louisiana personal injury attorneys at Mike Brandner Law share important Halloween candy safety tips.
1. Halloween Candy Safety Tips: Avoid Candy Tampering
For decades, stories have circulated about strangers slipping dangerous objects into candy, such as razor blades, needles, and poison. While many of these stories are myths, even a broken wrapper or loose seal can introduce bacteria or contaminants.
The Hammond Police Department and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office remind parents every year to check all candy and avoid homes or neighborhoods they don’t know well. You can increase your children’s Halloween safety by:
- Throwing away any unwrapped, torn, or suspicious candy.
- Only accepting sealed, name-brand treats.
- Attending safe community events like the official Downtown Hammond Trick or Treat instead of random neighborhoods.
- Never letting kids eat candy before it’s inspected under good lighting.
2. Halloween Candy Safety Tips from Allergies and Choking Hazards
Many children in Louisiana have food allergies. Common allergens, such as nuts, soy, dairy, and gluten, are common ingredients in Halloween candy. Additionally, tiny hard candies can also become choking hazards for young trick-or-treaters.
Our Hammond injury lawyers recommend:
- Checking ingredient lists carefully for allergens.
- Keeping an EpiPen or allergy medication on hand if needed.
- Removing hard candies, gumballs, or sticky taffy for kids under five.
- Encouraging moderation, as sugar crashes can cause stomach pain and dizziness after long nights of walking.
3. Trick-or-Treating Hazards: Visibility & Traffic
According to the American Red Cross, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. Poor lighting, dark costumes, and distracted drivers contribute to these tragic car accidents.
Some of the safety tips our Louisiana injury attorneys have learned from Hammond families include:
- Adding reflective tape or glow sticks to costumes.
- Sticking to sidewalks or closed-street events like Downtown Hammond’s Safe Zone.
- Carrying flashlights and crossing only at intersections.
- Supervising young children and setting clear return times for older ones.
If your child is injured due to a negligent driver or unsafe property during Halloween festivities, Mike Brandner Law can help you pursue justice and compensation.
4. Community Safety: Why the Downtown Hammond’s Event Was Safer
Unlike door-to-door trick-or-treating, events like the Downtown Hammond Trick or Treat event create a controlled, family-friendly environment. This is because:
- Candy is distributed by trusted local businesses.
- Streets are closed to traffic for pedestrian safety.
- Parents can monitor children closely in well-lit public areas.
Community events like these show how local community efforts can make Halloween both fun and safe for Tangipahoa families.
5. Halloween Candy Safety Tips: Sorting & Storing Safely
Once you’re home, the real safety check begins: inspecting the candy. Our Hammond legal team recommends:
- Inspecting every treat before eating.
- Discarding anything unsealed, unlabeled, or unusual in color or texture.
- Limiting candy intake to avoid sugar overload and dental issues.
- Storing candy out of reach from pets—chocolate can be toxic.
- Keeping water nearby to rinse away sugar residue.
If your child experiences an allergic reaction, choking, or injury related to defective candy or unsafe conditions, call 911 for immediate assistance.
Why Mike Brandner Law Cares About Halloween Safety
Mike Brandner Law has proudly served Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, St. Tammany Parish, Houma, Thibodeaux, Jefferson Parish, and all of Greater New Orleans for years. Beyond fighting for justice after an injury, we’re dedicated to helping prevent injuries before they happen.
By sharing Halloween safety resources, hosting local awareness booths, and offering free legal guidance, Mike Brandner Law continues to protect Louisiana families, one safe step at a time. Unfortunately, some accidents will happen no matter how many safety precautions you take. This is why our team is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For assistance with a Halloween injury, call Mike Brandner Law today at (504) 345-1111. Consultations are free, and you will not pay any legal fees unless a settlement has been recovered on your behalf. You can also connect with us online by speaking with our LiveChat representatives or submitting your case information through our encrypted online form.