Fall is a time of crisper weather, football Fridays ,and pumpkin spice. Let’s all do what we can to make the “scares” intentional on October’s favorite holiday, Halloween.
October Facts: Trick-or-Treating has gotten a bad rep from urban legends, like razor blades and tainted candy. The real threat to kids is actually something that is quite mundane and already in your neighborhood. Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for child-pedestrian accidents. Kids are TWICE as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween as any other day of the year. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Whether you’re spending the day at the beach, traveling for a longer vacation, or enjoying summer in your own backyard, it’s important to be diligent about safety.
Halloween Safety For Minors
● When selecting costumes, here are some things to keep in mind:
○ Sizing matters to prevent tripping hazards.
○ Face paint is a great choice over facemasks, which can limit a child’s vision and situational awareness.
○ Bright and light colors are easier to see than black or darker colors.
● Children need to wear reflective tape on their costumes or carry glowsticks/flashlights while trick-or-treating.
● Children should only cross at crosswalks. Neighborhoods could post safety signs at intersections to help with traffic flow.
● Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing streets in front of vehicles.
● Walk on the designated sidewalks or footpaths; never walk in the roads.
● Stay off your phones! This goes for kids and adults accompanying them.
Halloween Safety for Adults
● Drivers need to be aware that most trick-or-treating hours occur at or around dusk and continue into the hours of darkness. Children may be darting out into streets and hard to see. Take caution when driving, and slow down during these hours in neighborhoods.
● Most cities post Trick-or-Treating hours online. Popular hours are 5:30-9:30 pm. Avoid driving during these times if at all possible.
● Enter and exit driveways with caution.
● Parents should accompany children under the age of 12 while they are trick-or-treating.
● Older children should still stick to familiar areas and remain in groups.
● Adults need to have situational awareness, too! Stay off your phones!
