Talking to Your College Student About Halloween Safety

Parents and Families,

Halloween Candy-check! Pumpkins-check! Discuss Halloween safety with your student-check??

There are many things you do to prepare for Halloween. Talking to your college student about Halloween safety should be one of them. Across college campuses nationwide, Halloween has become a popular and high-risk drinking holiday and a major social event among students. Increased drinking can be followed by negative consequences such as skipping class, falling behind in class, injury and safety risks, and use of other drugs.

Please take a moment to read more about talking to your student and encouraging him or her to enjoy the Halloween holiday safely. Students who may not have engaged in the party culture previously, may take this opportunity to test out the waters. On the other hand, students who have fallen into a routine around drinking may be surprised to find that all of the new cues (like costumes) associated with Halloween put them at greater risk.

You can find talking points and tips for navigating this conversation with your student here:

College Parents Matter-Halloween

Remember, your student values conversations with you more than you may think.  We are grateful for your willingness to remind your student that there are many other fun and festive ways to enjoy the Halloween holiday without consuming alcohol.