Halloween isn’t only scary, it’s dangerous: These are some common injuries doctors attend to on Oct. 31
Emergency Rooms across the country are braced for a busy night on Halloween, when dark forces aren’t the only things that go bump in the night.
Strange things happen on Halloween, the spookiest night of the year, and one of the world’s oldest celebrations. Millions of people will be slipping into their costumes to go out this Friday, and for most of them it will be fun night out with friends or family - but some will get more of a fright than they had bargained for...
Halloween has evolved and is now more popular than it’s ever been. And with more people taking part, there are more and more accidents. Every year, thousands of revelers end up in the emergency room on October 31 due to Halloween-related injuries. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that an annual average of 3,200 Halloween-related injuries were treated in US hospital emergency departments between 2019 and 2022 - more than half of them, children.
Leave pumpkin carving to the adults
One of the most common injuries (55%) is cuts or wounds caused by a moment’s lapse in concentration or carelessness while using a knife to carve faces on pumpkins with a knife. More than half of all visits to ER are for wounds related to pumpkin carving. Pumpkins have a tough outer shell and it’s easy for a knife to slip while cutting out the lid or the face details. So it’s best to leave the pumpkin carving to adults.
Like other popular celebrations and holidays, Halloween usually sees a spike in traffic accidents. Children are twice as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year.
Around 25% of hospital admission were due to falls while putting up or taking down decorations, tripping on costumes or slipping while out walking for trick-or-treat.
A fifth of Halloween injuries relate to allergic reactions, rashes or inebriation after consuming food, drink, sweets, and lacerations associated with costumes, pumpkins or decorations.
If your child is dressing up for #Halloween, keep them safely away from candles and sparklers.
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) October 29, 2025
This burn demo by the Brigade shows how quickly a costume can catch fire. Melting plastic risks causing life changing injuries and burns.
Find out more https://t.co/MYTljV5YWH pic.twitter.com/MbNgVUMPKt
Burns from candles and fireworks
Other hazards to take great care with are candles, fireworks and party lights. Inspect decorative lights to see if they are faulty, broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections - all of which can cause accidents in the home. Discard any sets that appear damaged.
Candles that are left unattended can quickly ignite causing house fires, set clothes alight or cause burns, and the same goes for fireworks which are popular at this time of year.
Whether it’s Halloween night or not, accidents can happen when you least expect them. So be prepared for the unexpected!
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