Essential Halloween Safety Tips for a Fun, Injury-Free Night
With all the fun and festivities of trick-or-treating, it’s easy to forget a frightening reality: Halloween remains the most dangerous day of the year for child pedestrians.
An analysis of the last ten years of federal data by Safe Kids Worldwide found that child pedestrians under 18 are 3.5 times more likely to be fatally injured by a motor vehicle on October 31 than on any other day of the year. Spooky, right? And not in the fun, haunted house kind of way.
Here are 15 Halloween safety tips from our partners at Safe Kids Worldwide.
For Trick-or-Treaters:
- Cross Streets Safely: Use crosswalks, corners, and traffic signals. Look left, right, and left again before crossing. Make eye contact with drivers before stepping in front of cars.
- Phones Down, Heads Up: Keep your eyes off your phones. Stay present and prioritize safety.
- It’s Not a Sprint: Walk, don’t run, across the street. Sidewalks may have uneven surfaces, which could lead to a fall.
- Stick to Sidewalks: Use sidewalks or paths. If none are available, walk facing traffic and stay as far to the left as possible.
- Watch for Cars: Be cautious around cars turning or backing up. Never dart into the street between parked cars.
For Parents and Caregivers:
- Be Visible: We are talking about reflective clothing. This can be easily added to their Halloween costumes with reflective tape or stickers to costumes and treat bags. Choose light-colored outfits when possible.
- Ditch the Mask: Use face paint or makeup instead of face masks, which can block a child’s vision.
- Light It Up: Have young children carry glow sticks or flashlights for greater visibility.
- Check the Fit: Ensure Halloween costumes fit properly to prevent trips and falls.
- Stick Together: Yes, we are talking about good old-fashioned adult supervision for younger children and reminding older kids to go in groups, stay in familiar and well-lit areas, and use a buddy system.
For Drivers:
- Slow Down: Be extra cautious in residential neighborhoods, where excited kids might pop out unexpectedly.
- Stay Alert: Watch for children at intersections, medians, and curbs.
- Take Extra Care: When pulling out of driveways, alleys, or stop signs, take a few extra moments to ensure safety.
- Limit Distractions: The best way to do this is to keep your phone out of reach and focus on the road.
- Turn On Headlights Early: Improve visibility by turning on your headlights earlier in the evening.
“Whether you are going door-to-door with your little angels and monsters, or walking them to a community event, or driving around neighborhoods on this busy night, it’s important to prioritize safety,” said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide.
“We want to remind everyone that more children than usual are out and about after dark, and they are so excited that they may run out into the street without looking. So we’re asking drivers to take extra care and slow down on neighborhood roads. And, of course, it’s important that drivers put down mobile devices to avoid distraction.”
We can all do our part to keep Halloween safe so kids can enjoy the night without fear or tragedy.
About Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children from unintentional injuries. They remind parents and caregivers to make injury prevention a priority. For more valuable resources, visit Safe Kids Worldwide San Diego and make safety a part of your Halloween plan.
Let’s ensure a night full of treats, not tricks—Happy Halloween!
Looking for something fun to do over the coming weeks?
In our Ultimate Guide to Fall, we have rounded up the BEST Halloween activities and events, fall festivals, and Pumpkin Patches to visit in and around San Diego County.
