Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for kids. Trick-or-treating, classroom parties and trips to a neighborhood haunted house. But for many parents, often there is a fine line between Halloween fun and safety concerns. Below we have listed some Halloween safety tips to share with family and friends.
Safety Tips for Drivers
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs
- Get rid of any distractions – like your phone – in your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings
- Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween
- No Drinking and Driving!
Costumes
- Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility
- Choose face paint and make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision. Look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup
- Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers. The liquid in glow sticks is hazardous, so parents should remind children not to chew on or break them.
- Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame.
For all Kids
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, the risk of kids being hit by a car is higher on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
- Walk-on sidewalks on lit streets (never through alleys or across lawns)
- Walk from house to house (never run) and always walk facing traffic when walking on roads
- Cross the street at crosswalks and never assume that vehicles will stop
- Give kids flashlights with fresh batteries. Kids may also enjoy wearing glow sticks as bracelets or necklaces
- Limit trick-or-treating to your neighborhood and the homes of people you know
