Halloween is just around the corner, and if you have kids who love to dress up in costumes and go door-to-door around your neighborhood to do some trick-or-treating, you probably want to make sure that they’ll be safe! Here are some approved tricks from safekids.org so your kiddos can enjoy their treats!
Walk Safely
⦁ Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
⦁ Put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
⦁ Always walk on sidewalks or paths.
⦁ Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
⦁ Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
Costumes for a Safe Halloween
⦁ Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers.
⦁ Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct your child’s vision.
⦁ Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
⦁ When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
⦁ Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
⦁ Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
⦁ Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
⦁ Get rid of any distractions – like your phone – in your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
⦁ Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
⦁ Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Be especially alert for kids during those hours.