Halloween is a kid’s dream – monsters, costumes, friends and candy! It can also be a parent’s nightmare between worrying about the weather, kids walking across dark streets, and other safety-related issues.
Here are some tips for keeping Halloween night safe for your trick-or-treaters.
Adults
- Turn on your porch light and other outside lights so that trick-or-treaters have a clear line of sight to your door.
- Be on the lookout for speeding motorists, unfamiliar adults hanging around the neighborhood without children, and mischievous acts which could become dangerous.
- Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your police department immediately and call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
- Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
Motorists
- Be extra careful when driving a vehicle during trick-or-treat time.
- Look out for excited youngsters who may run out into traffic.
- Watch out for kids wearing dark costumes or masks that don’t allow them to see well as they move into the street.
- Be aware of small children who are difficult to see in the dark.
- Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween night compared to any other night of the year.
Costume Tips
- Make sure costumes are flame retardant so children aren’t in danger near burning pumpkins or driveway campfires.
- Keep costumes short to prevent tripping, falling or catching the bottom on something.
- Your child may prefer make-up instead of a mask. Masks can be hot, uncomfortable, and can obstruct a child’s vision, which is dangerous when crossing streets and going up and down steps.
- Make sure kids wear bright colors or put reflective tape on their costumes so that they can be seen by drivers.
Before Heading Out
- Set a time limit for your children to be out.
- Make sure older kids trick-or-treat with friends.
- Work together to map out a safe route so you will know where they are going.
- Tell them to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
On the Street for Trick-or-Treat
- Trick-or-treaters should always be in groups and parents should walk with young children.
- Start trick-or-treating while it’s still light out.
- If it’s dark, make sure someone has a flashlight and pick well-lighted streets.
- Do not go inside anyone’s home.
- Remain on the porch at all times.
- Do not accept rides from strangers.
- Remind kids to keep a safe distance from moving cars.
- Cross the street only at the corners.
- Do not walk between parked cars.
- Never walk diagonally across an intersection.
- Look in all directions before crossing the street.
- Obey all traffic signals.
- Always walk and never run across the street.
- Walk on the sidewalk and not in the street.
- Do not take shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
- Do not eat any treats until parents have inspected them.
- Discard any homemade or unwrapped treats.
Inspect the Treats Before You Eat
- Help your trick-or-treaters avoid the candy until getting home by feeding them a meal or a snack before they leave.
- Check out all candy in a well-lighted place when your trick-or-treater gets home.
- Look out for torn wrappers, holes in packaging, and re-wrapped or taped-up packaging.