Easy Things You Can Do to Keep Kids Safe on Halloween
10/28/2022
Halloween can be one of the most fun nights of the year for
children across America, but for parents, it can be one of the most
nerve-wracking as well. On average, twice as many kids are killed while walking
on Halloween than on any other day of the year. By taking a few simple
precautions, kids, parents and drivers can make celebrating Halloween fun and
safe.
“On Halloween, more children are on the street after dark than
normal, and they are so excited that they may dart into the street without
thinking,” said Amanda Tabin, Safe Kids and Injury Prevention Coordinator at
Aspirus Wausau Hospital. “We’re encouraging parents to ensure their child’s
costume can be easily seen by drivers and to talk to their kids about how to
walk safely. It’s also important for drivers to slow down, avoid distractions
and take extra care on the roads.”
Tips for a Happy (and Safe)
Halloween
Safe costumes:
- Be visible. Plan costumes that are bright and
reflective. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if
possible, choose light colors. Carry glow sticks or flashlights to help drivers
see you. Items to improve visibility are
usually available at mass retailers, party stores, sporting goods stores and
hardware stores.
- Wear the right size costume. To prevent trips and falls, make sure the costume is
the right size and is not dragging on the ground.
- Use makeup instead of a mask. Masks can
obstruct a child’s vision, making it harder to see oncoming traffic, so choose
non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible.
- Buy “Flame Resistant” items. Buy flame resistant fabrics such as nylon or
polyester, and look for “Flame Resistant” on the label when purchasing
costumes, wigs and other accessories. Halloween decor often
features jack-o-lanterns and candles, which can be dangerous if a costume
gets too close to an open flame.
Safe walking:
- Stay alert. Put down electronic devices, and
keep heads up. 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.
- Cross the street at corners. Always look left,
right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
- Trick or treat with an adult. A parent or
responsible adults should always accompany young children while trick or
treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them
to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick or treat in groups.
Safe driving:
- Slow down, and reduce any distractions inside
your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the
road and your surroundings.
- Be especially alert and take extra time to look
for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Remember that popular
trick-or-treating hours are between 4 and 8 p.m. Children are excited on
Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
Safe treats:
- Tell children not to eat any treats that show signs of
tampering such as unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes,
tears in wrappers, anything that isn’t
commercially wrapped
- Keep an eye out for look-a-like products that may not actually be
candy. Fentanyl pills and powders are now being manufactured as a rainbow of
colors, making this highly addictive substance attractive to children.
- Food Allergies: If a child has a food allergy,
check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Don’t allow children with
food allergies to eat anything homemade.
- Choking hazards: Be sure to remove any choking
hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys from small children.
For more tips on how
to help kids become safer pedestrians on Halloween, and throughout the year,
visit www.safekids.org
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