Halloween is a fun-filled night that brings excitement, costumes, and, of course, lots of candy. But with all the activities, it’s essential to prioritize safety, especially for young trick-or-treaters. On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Here are some helpful tips for parents, caregivers, and drivers to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween.
Light the Way
- Equip with Flashlights and Glow Sticks: Equip children with flashlights, glow sticks, or wearable lights so they’re visible to others. Make sure their costumes don’t obstruct their vision and that masks have clear eye openings.
- Add Reflective Tape: Adding reflective tape to costumes and candy bags makes children more visible to drivers.
Be Visible
- Costume Colors Matter: Dark costumes can make it harder for drivers to see trick-or-treaters, so aim for lighter colors or add reflective elements.
- Walk in Groups: Walking in groups makes trick-or-treaters more noticeable. If possible, trick-or-treat with a group of friends or family members for extra visibility.
Use Crosswalks
- Only Cross at Designated Crosswalks: Encourage children to use marked crosswalks and obey traffic signals. Darting across streets can be dangerous, especially in low light.
- Hold Hands with Young Children: For younger children, hold hands and cross with them at intersections. Make sure everyone in the group crosses together.
Stay on the Sidewalk
- Stick to the Sidewalks When Available: Walk on sidewalks and paths rather than the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible.
- Avoid Cutting Across Lawns or Alleys: Cutting through these areas can be dangerous, especially in low visibility. Stick to sidewalks and designated walking areas whenever possible.
Pay Attention
- Avoid Phones and Distractions: Encourage trick-or-treaters to stay alert and avoid looking at phones or devices while walking. Teach children to stop and look both ways before crossing any street.
- Stay in Well-Lit Areas: Stick to well-lit streets with plenty of houses that have outdoor lights on, signaling they are open to trick-or-treaters.
Review Traffic Safety with Children
- Practice “Stop, Look, and Listen”: Before Halloween, remind children about basic road safety rules, such as looking both ways before crossing streets and listening for cars.
- Walk, Don’t Run: Excited trick-or-treaters often want to run to the next house, but walking keeps them safer and ensures they don’t trip or run into traffic.
Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers
Halloween can be a challenging night for drivers. With more pedestrians on the road and many of them being children, here are ways to keep the roads safe:
- Slow Down: Drive slowly in residential neighborhoods, especially during peak trick-or-treating hours (typically from 5:30 to 9:30 PM).
- Stay Alert: Be extra cautious at crosswalks and intersections. Children may cross unexpectedly, especially in dark costumes.
- Avoid Distractions: Eliminate distractions by putting your phone away and staying focused on the road.
- Yield to Pedestrians: Give pedestrians the right of way, especially in neighborhoods with many trick-or-treaters.
- Use Your Headlights: Even before it gets dark, turning on your headlights can make you more visible to pedestrians.
Additional Halloween Safety Tips for Parents and Trick-or-Treaters
- Check Candy: Before allowing children to eat their candy, check it for tampering or choking hazards. Discard any homemade treats from unfamiliar sources.
- Stay Hydrated and Comfortable: Trick-or-treating can involve a lot of walking, so make sure everyone stays hydrated and wears comfortable shoes.
- Set a Time Limit: Establish a set time for trick-or-treating to ensure everyone returns home safely and early enough to avoid peak driving times.
With these Halloween safety tips, parents, caregivers, and drivers can work together to make the evening enjoyable and safe for all. Following these rules of the road and safety guidelines will help protect trick-or-treaters and allow everyone to enjoy a spooky and safe Halloween night.
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