Q&A for How to Give Out Candy on Halloween

You really can't. Perhaps you could post a sign saying "Only 2 pieces! Other trick-or-treaters are coming!"

Homemade candy (unless you're giving it to someone you know very well), or anything that was already opened up or has holes or rips in it. The safest candy to give out is store-bought candy in its original, sealed packaging without any damage.

Sure! Sour Patch Kids are a very popular candy, especially with those who don't like chocolate or peanut butter. Make sure the Sour Patch Kids are in their original, untorn packaging.

Yes, if you're polite. Just tell them you want to save enough for other kids!

Maybe not. Kids don't really care that much, although they do tend to like the name brands more.

That might be risky. If you don't have extra candy available, turn off your porch light and call it a night.

They will have their porch light on, and they may have Halloween decorations. Be polite instead of getting angry if they don't have candy.

It typically starts at (or before) dusk and lasts until 8:00 or 9:00.

If you have any hard information about this (not mere rumors), contact your local police.

You should prepare 2-3 big bags of candy beforehand. If each trick-or-treater is given one or two pieces of candy, the candy will last the entire night.

Sure. You decide when to stop handing out candy. There will still be other houses the kids can go to for a while later.

Many will. Have a big variety of flavors so every kid will be satisfied.

The most common candy allergies are peanuts (basically any nuts), wheat/gluten, and dairy.

It typically begins around dusk (as it's getting dark) and ends around 9 pm (maybe a little later).

Either way is fine. If you want, you can make goodie bags for the trick-or-treaters and put the same items in each bag.

Check the candy after you're done trick-or-treating. Watch for discoloring, unusual smells, or something else bad you don't recognize. Poisoned candy will noticeably taste, smell, and look different to normal candy. Also look out for wrappers with damage or that look as if they've already been opened. Remember this rhyme: When in doubt, throw it out.

Ask them, or the kid's guardian if the kid is too young to speak. Have a variety of candy types on hand so every kid gets something. If they have a teal bucket, this could also show they have an allergy.