Halloween is all about thrills, chills, and a good dose of spooky fun, but when it comes to hosting large events, safety should always be a priority. Many parents, concerned about traditional trick-or-treating, are opting for alternatives like "trunk-or-treating"—where kids can collect candy in a safer, more controlled setting.
For attraction venues like theme parks and family entertainment centers, Halloween events offer a fantastic opportunity to bring people together in a secure environment. Let’s dive into some practical tips to help you manage crowds, ensure safety, and create inclusive spaces for guests of all ages during your Halloween events.
1. Keep crowds in check
Halloween events can draw in big crowds, which is great for business—but managing those crowds effectively is key to keeping everyone safe and happy.
Conduct a risk assessment
Before the spooky fun begins, it’s essential to assess any potential risks around your venue. Look out for hazards like uneven flooring, poor lighting, or sharp objects in haunted attractions, especially in areas where kids or elderly guests might be. Addressing these risks early helps prevent accidents and sets the stage for a safe event.
Read more: How to Manage Risk at Your Attractions Venue
Develop a safety plan
Once you’ve identified potential risks, create a safety plan that outlines emergency procedures for incidents like fires, severe weather, medical emergencies, and lost children. Clearly mark exits and consider offering guests a safety map via email or as part of the ticketing process, so everyone is prepared.
Set and monitor venue capacity
Ensuring you don’t exceed your venue’s capacity not only keeps guests safe but also makes the experience more enjoyable. Smart technology, like ROLLER’s capacity management software, can help you easily track attendance and adjust as needed to maintain a smooth flow of visitors
Read more: How to Master Capacity Planning for Venue Owners and Managers
Strategic crowd flow
Think about creating traffic zones to spread out the crowd. By offering different attractions or activities in separate areas, you can avoid bottlenecks at main features. Placing staff at key points can also help guide guests and keep things moving smoothly, enhancing safety and creating a more enjoyable guest experience.
2. Manage entry and flow with timed ticketed sessions
One of the easiest ways to manage large crowds during Halloween events is by implementing timed ticketing. Instead of having everyone arrive at once, offering staggered entry times can help spread foot traffic evenly throughout the day.
Not only does this prevent long lines, but it also improves the overall guest experience. Guests can enjoy the attractions at a more relaxed pace, knowing they won’t have to fight through a crowd. To sweeten the deal, consider offering special promotions or bonuses for guests who book during off-peak hours.
Read more: 5 Must-Try Halloween Ideas to Boost Hype and Revenue at Your Venue
3. Consider costume rules and guidelines
Halloween wouldn’t be the same without costumes, but costumes can come with safety risks if not properly managed. Clear costume guidelines can go a long way in ensuring a safe and enjoyable event for all.
Set costume safety guidelines
Create clear guidelines that prohibit costumes with realistic weapons, oversized props, or full-face masks that obscure vision. These simple rules can prevent accidents and make the event safer for everyone.
Communicate costume rules early
Make sure your costume rules are easy to find and shared well in advance—post them on your website, social media, and ticketing platforms to avoid confusion and ensure compliance on the day of the event. Staff should be well-prepared to tactfully enforce these guidelines and manage any costume-related concerns.
4. Create safe spaces for guests with diverse needs
Halloween events can sometimes be overwhelming for children or guests with sensory sensitivities. Offering designated quiet areas helps ensure that everyone has a chance to enjoy the event, regardless of their needs.
- Designated quiet zones: Set up low-sensory areas where guests can take a break from the excitement. Consider noise-canceling headphones, dim lighting, and comfy seating to make these zones more inviting for those who need them.
- Clear signage and communication: Make sure guests know where they can find quiet spaces. Clear, visible signage and helpful staff can guide families and individuals with special needs to these areas, ensuring everyone feels welcome and included.
5. Provide safety training for staff and actors
Your staff and actors are the heart of your event. They play a crucial role in delivering a fantastic guest experience while also ensuring everyone stays safe.
- Emergency response training: Make sure your team is prepared for any situation. Train all staff in emergency response procedures, including handling medical issues, fire alarms, and crowd control. The more prepared they are, the more confident and secure your guests will feel.
- Actor safety training: If you’re offering haunted houses or interactive scare zones, ensure your actors know how to engage with guests safely. Train them on scare techniques that avoid physical contact and teach them how to adjust their approach when a guest seems overwhelmed.
- Staff costume guidelines: Safety goes beyond guest costumes—your team needs to be able to move freely and see clearly. Ensure staff and actor costumes allow for easy movement and are flame-resistant, especially if you’re using pyrotechnics or open flames in your event.
- Guest interaction policies: Train staff on how to interact professionally with guests, especially children and those with special needs. This includes providing assistance if guests are lost, anxious, or in need of help.
Read more: Spooky or Too Soon? How to Time Your Halloween Decorations Just Right
Prioritizing safety without sacrificing fun
Ensuring the safety of your guests is essential during Halloween events, but it doesn’t have to dampen the fun. By taking proactive steps—such as managing capacity, enforcing costume rules, and creating safe spaces for families—you can create an event that’s enjoyable for everyone. Clear communication and flexible planning are key to striking the right balance between spooky fun and guest safety.
How ROLLER can help you get the most out of the spooky season
Halloween is a fantastic opportunity to enhance guest experiences and boost revenue. ROLLER’s all-in-one platform helps you plan, promote, and execute seamless Halloween events with ease. From online ticketing to mobile food and beverage ordering, ROLLER streamlines operations so you can focus on delighting guests.
Not a ROLLER customer? Book a demo and see how ROLLER can help you increase revenue, delight guests, and streamline operations.
Read more: Halloween-Themed Attractions: A Scarily Good Growth Opportunity
