Halloween Health and Safety

It's the Halloween season and the ghosts and goblins are near. They come to steal healthy living habits, but have no fear! Learn tips for a safe and healthy Halloween.

Have a happy, safe, and healthy Halloween.

Make Halloween festivities fun, safe, and healthy for you, trick-or-treaters and party guests.

Take steps to prevent the flu.

It's Halloween and the flu season is here! The best way to protect against flu is to get the vaccine every flu season. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine provides protection that lasts throughout the flu season. Get vaccinated now so that you will be protected all season long!

Wash your hands.

Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness. Keeping hands clean prevents illness at home, at school, and at work. It's best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If that's not possible, use alcohol-based hand rubs.

Develop, maintain, and keep good sleep habits.

Don't look a fright this Halloween! Sufficient sleep is not a luxury—it is a necessity—and should be thought of as a "vital sign" of good health. Sufficient sleep is being recognized as an important aspect to help prevent some chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, obesity, and depression.

Eat fruits and vegetables.

Healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are filling. Fruits and vegetables are a great healthy snack to serve for Halloween parties.

Need some new ideas for adding more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet? Check out Fruits & Veggies Matter for tips, recipes, and more!

Be smoke-free.

Smoking is very harmful to the body, causing many diseases and affecting the health of smokers in general. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can be harmful to your health. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for you and your loved ones. Make your Halloween activities smoke and tobacco-free events.

Be prepared for cold weather.

Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. Be prepared this Halloween and make sure to dress for the weather. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.

Get smart about antibiotics.

Antibiotics do not fight infections caused by viruses like colds, most sore throats and bronchitis, and some ear infections. If antibiotics are used too often for things they can't treat—like colds or other viral infections—they can stop working effectively against bacteria when you or your child really needs them. See your doctor or nurse to find out if your illness is bacterial or viral.

Prevent injuries.

Every year, 9.2 million babies, children, and teens are injured severely enough to need treatment in emergency departments. These injuries are commonly from burns, drowning, falls, poisoning, and motor vehicle crashes. Check out Color Me Safe! This new CDC resource tells the rhyming story of the "Safe Family" who take steps to protect themselves at home, on the road, and at play.

Send a Halloween Health-e-Card

Halloween Health
in English

Halloween Health
in English

Germ Monster
in English

Nothing to Fear
in English
in Spanish

Happy Halloween
in English
in Spanish

Trick or Treat
in English
in Spanish

Autumn Health

Autumn Bounty

More Information

• Halloween the Healthy Way
• Halloween Health and Safety Tips
• Halloween Health-e-Cards