Halloween and Bonfire Night safety: inclusive ways to celebrate at every age
Updated: Oct 11
Halloween and Bonfire Night can be joyful, but costumes, candles, bonfires, fireworks and sudden noise bring different risks. A good plan gives children, older people and supported people real choices: take part, watch from a distance, enjoy a quiet alternative, or leave whenever they want.
Halloween: light the pumpkin, not the costume
Use a battery LED candle or glow stick in a pumpkin instead of an open flame. London Fire Brigade's Halloween advice recommends this switch. Check a child's fancy dress for a UKCA or CE mark and keep loose fabric away from heat sources; see its costume safety advice. An ordinary outfit, face paint that suits the person's skin and preferences, or no costume at all are valid choices.
If going out, plan a short, familiar, well-lit route with an adult, visible clothing or reflectors, and a way to return home early. Check access, steps, toileting and food allergies before an event. Do not pressure anyone into surprise scares, touching, masks or sweets.
Bonfire Night: follow the firework code
An organised public display is generally safer than setting off fireworks at home, according to GOV.UK fire safety advice and London Fire Brigade. Check whether the venue has step-free access, a quiet viewing area and a clear exit before booking.
If adults choose a home display, buy appropriately marked CE or UKCA fireworks from a legitimate seller; follow the label and the safety distance. Keep fireworks in a closed box, use them one at a time, light at arm's length with the taper provided, and stand well back. Never return to a lit firework, including one that seems not to have gone off. Keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby, keep spectators and children back, and never use petrol or paraffin on a bonfire. The person lighting fireworks should not drink alcohol.
Sparklers are not suitable for children under five. For older children, an adult should supervise, everyone handling them should wear gloves, light them one at a time at arm's length, and put spent sparklers in a bucket of cold water. Never hold a baby while holding a sparkler. LED wands are an easy flame-free alternative. The national fire safety leaflet sets out these precautions.
In England, the GOV.UK fireworks law page says adult fireworks cannot be bought by under-18s, and fireworks must not be set off or thrown in streets or other public places. The usual night-time restriction is 11pm to 7am; Bonfire Night's cut-off is midnight. Check local council rules too.
Make celebration work for different sensory and support needs
Tell the person what will happen, when the loudest part is likely to be, and how to leave. Offer a familiar companion, a quieter viewing position, a break space, warm clothing, and a simple visual plan or countdown if helpful. Ear defenders or noise-reducing headphones can help at a loud event if the person chooses them; the National Autistic Society notes that frequent use may increase sound sensitivity over time. Seek individual professional advice if sound sensitivity is persistent or distressing.
For someone with dementia, learning disabilities, anxiety or mobility needs, use familiar communication and an agreed exit plan. Watch for smoke exposure, fatigue, cold and crowding. Ask what the person actually enjoys; a dazzling display is not the only way to celebrate.
Creative, lower-risk alternatives for any age
Decorate a pumpkin with stickers, paint or collage and use an LED candle inside.
Try an indoor autumn craft table, sensory tray, themed storytelling, music at a chosen volume, or a costume-free film afternoon.
Hold an early, short community gathering with glowing decorations or a projected light show instead of personal fireworks.
View a distant organised display from an indoor window or skip it and create a paper “firework” artwork.
Offer a quiet corner, a clear schedule, and a choice to join for five minutes or not at all.
If there is a fire, get everyone out and call 999. For a burn, the NHS advises cooling under cool running water for 20 minutes and getting medical help according to severity. Keep the event plan simple enough that any supporter can follow it.
What has helped your family or someone you support celebrate safely and comfortably? Share general ideas in the Looking Glass Care Community, without names or identifiable details. For a tailored inclusive activity or safety plan, book a free 30-minute consultation.
England-focused information checked 27 September 2026. Follow local venue rules and each person's care plan.
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