Halloween is one of the best nights of the year. Costumes, sweets, parties and a bit of harmless fright. It is also one of the darkest: in 2026 the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, so by Halloween night on Saturday 31 October it is dark across most of the UK before 5pm.
None of that should stop anyone having fun. A little planning just means everyone gets home happy. Here is our practical guide for trick-or-treating, Halloween nights out and the walk home afterwards.
Trick-or-treating with children
Plan the route in daylight
Walk the route earlier in the day if you can. Stick to streets you know, with pavements and street lights, and agree a turnaround time before you set off. Houses with decorations or a pumpkin in the window are the usual sign that trick-or-treaters are welcome.
Make sure they can be seen
Dark costumes look brilliant and disappear at night. Add something reflective (a sash, armbands or reflective tape on a bag), pick shoes they can actually walk in, and avoid masks that block their view. A small torch in every group makes kerbs, steps and puddles much easier to see.
Stick together and agree a plan
Younger children should always have a grown-up with them. Older children going out with friends should stay as a group, keep their phone charged, and know exactly where and when to meet you. Agree a simple rule for what to do if anyone gets separated, such as heading back to the last house you visited together.
Check the haul at home
Save the sweets for when you get home, so you can check everything is sealed and suitable, especially for anyone with allergies.
Halloween nights out
Plan the way home before you go out
Decide how you are getting home while you are still getting ready. Save a licensed taxi number, book ahead if you can (Halloween is busy), and check when the last train or bus runs. If you are using a ride app, check the car and driver details match before you get in.
Look after each other
Arrive together, leave together. Share your location with a friend for the night, keep an eye on each other's drinks, and agree a check-in message for when everyone is home. If a friend seems unwell or not themselves, stay with them and get help from venue staff.
Keep your phone charged
Costumes rarely have useful pockets. Carry a small power bank or charge your phone fully before you head out, so maps, taxis and calls are there when you need them.
The walk home after the clocks go back
The first weeks after the clocks change catch a lot of people out. The walk home from work, school, the gym or the dog walk suddenly happens in the dark.
- Choose busier, well-lit routes, even if they take a few minutes longer.
- Keep one ear free if you listen to music, so you stay aware of what is around you.
- Have your keys ready before you reach your front door.
- Use a torch on unlit paths, in car parks and when you are looking for your keys.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, head somewhere busy and well lit.
How a personal alarm helps
A personal safety alarm is a small, simple way to feel more confident on darker evenings. It clips onto your keys or bag, and when you pull the pin it does three things at once:
- A loud siren to get the attention of people nearby. The Ashley Alarm 2 is 130dB.
- A flashing LED strobe that makes you easy to spot.
- A built-in torch for everyday use: dark paths, car parks, finding your keys or lighting the way on a trick-or-treat round.
Personal alarms are legal to carry in the UK. They are not a weapon, need no training, and work for anyone, from teenagers heading out with friends to parents on the school run and grandparents walking the dog.
Ashley is USB rechargeable and holds its charge for up to a year on standby. Give it a top-up every six months and a quick test once a month, so it is ready whenever you need it.
Your Halloween night checklist
- Route planned, with a turnaround or home time agreed
- Something reflective on every costume
- A torch for every group
- Phones charged, and a power bank for nights out
- A plan for getting home, booked if you can
- Location shared with a friend or family member
- A personal alarm on your keys or bag
Frequently asked questions
When do the clocks go back in 2026?
In the UK the clocks go back one hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026. Evenings get dark about an hour earlier from that day.
What time does it get dark on Halloween in the UK?
On Saturday 31 October 2026 the sun sets before 5pm across most of the UK, so trick-or-treating will mostly happen after dark.
Are personal alarms legal to carry in the UK?
Yes. Personal alarms are legal to carry in the UK. They make noise and light to attract attention and are not classed as a weapon. Pepper spray, by contrast, is not legal to carry in the UK.
Is a personal alarm suitable for children?
Yes. Ashley is simple to use (pull the pin to start it, push it back in to stop it) and fine for children of any age. Show them how it works before Halloween night so they feel confident using it.
Whatever you have planned this Halloween, we hope it is a brilliant one, and that everyone gets home safe. If you are picking up alarms for the family or your friends, our Halloween offer means you can buy 3 and pay for 2, or get 5 for 3, mixing any colours.
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