Halloween can be one of the most fun nights of the year for children across America, but for parents, it can be the most nerve-wracking. On average, twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Kids, parents, and drivers can make the night fun and safe by following these road and pedestrian safety tips:
Safe costumes.
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colored clothing.
• Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, so choose non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible.
• Have children carry glow sticks or flashlights so they can see better, as well as be seen by drivers.
Safe walking.
• Stay alert – Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up and don’t dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars.
• Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• It’s best to cross the street safely at corners. And always look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
Safe driving.
• Slow down in residential neighborhoods. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Be especially alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings
To learn about more ways to keep your kids safe on the road take a look at our Pedestrian Safety posts!
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