Halloween night plan: costumes, walking route and candy check

Your bot turns your family's Halloween plans into a short checklist and a few reminders: costume check, makeup test, buddy plan and the candy check at home.

What it does

Whether your family goes trick-or-treating, to a trunk-or-treat or church fall festival, or has friends over, the FDA's Halloween tips (which pull in advice from the CPSC and CDC) start with the costume. Look for "flame resistant" on the label, or use polyester or nylon if you make your own. Add reflective tape or bright colors so drivers can see you, and keep costumes short enough that no one trips. Makeup and hats are better than masks that block your view. Test makeup on a small patch of the arm 24 to 48 hours ahead and watch for a rash or redness. Skip decorative colored contact lenses unless an eye doctor fitted them; the FDA says selling them without a prescription is illegal and they can cause eye injuries. For candy: eat a snack before heading out, wait to eat anything until it's checked at home, toss anything that isn't commercially wrapped or shows tiny pinholes, tears or odd coloring, check labels for allergens, and pull gum, peanuts, hard candy and small toys from very young children's bags. If you're hosting, the FDA says to serve pasteurized cider or juice and not to leave perishable party food out more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 °F). NHTSA asks walkers to use a buddy system, follow signs and signals, and cross at crosswalks or intersections, looking for cars turning in every direction. It asks drivers to slow down and watch for kids in unexpected places, and to plan a sober ride home from any party. Halloween is Saturday, October 31, 2026. You tell your bot your plans and who's going, and it sends a costume check a week ahead, a makeup-test reminder two days before, and on the day, a short list with the route, buddies, check-in time and candy-check steps.

Copy-paste prompt

Be our family's Halloween night planner, using the FDA's Halloween safety tips (costumes, makeup, colored contacts, treats), the FDA's Halloween food safety tips for parents, and NHTSA's Halloween safety tips as background.

Our plan: [trick-or-treating in our neighborhood / trunk-or-treat or church fall festival / party at home / handing out candy] on [Saturday, October 31] from [time] to [time]. Who's going: [ages only, e.g. "kids 4 and 9, plus two adults"]. Food allergies: [none / list]. Costumes: [short description].

1. Today: a quick costume check for each person. Is it labeled flame resistant (or made of polyester or nylon)? Is it bright, or does it need reflective tape? Is it short enough not to trip on? Can a mask be swapped for makeup or a hat? Make me a short shopping list (reflective tape, makeup instead of a mask, a treat bag).
2. Add calendar reminders: a costume try-on a week ahead, a makeup patch test on the arm 2 days ahead (watch 24-48 hours for redness or a rash), and a day-of list in the afternoon.
3. If anyone wants colored or "cat eye" contacts, remind me the FDA says only use lenses fitted and prescribed by an eye doctor.
4. Day-of list: eat a snack or dinner first; buddies and which adult goes with whom; our route and a check-in time for older kids; cross at crosswalks or corners and watch for turning cars; no eating until candy is checked at home.
5. Candy check at home: toss anything not commercially wrapped or with pinholes, tears or odd coloring; check labels for our allergens; pull gum, peanuts, hard candy and small toys from the youngest one's pile. Suggest swapping allergen candy for safe treats.
6. If we're hosting: pasteurized cider or juice only; perishable food back in the fridge within 2 hours (1 hour if it's over 90 °F); plan a sober ride for any adult who's drinking.
7. If we're driving that evening, remind me to go slow in neighborhoods and watch for kids darting out.

Keep each reminder to 3-4 short lines. Don't post our route or kids' names anywhere, and keep ages only in this chat.