Safety. In 1972, The American Legion implemented a nationwide Halloween safety program for young trick-or-treaters, the first and only one of its kind. Since then, the Commission (now Committee) on Children & Youth has, in the words of its Chairman’s Guide, "urged ... membership to conduct Halloween programs that are designed to keep young children safe in an effort to reduce accidents associated with Halloween."

A brochure to this purpose, "Make Halloween a Safe and Fun Night," is available for download as a PDF.

Keeping kids out of harm’s way on Halloween started well before 1972. As far back as 1930, The American Legion Monthly described local posts’ efforts to put on community Halloween celebrations in places like Coos Bay, Ore., to cut down on youthful danger and vandalism.