Trick or Treat: Road Safety Tips for Halloween

Grab your scary mask and put on some comfortable shoes, because the time for trick-or-treating is here once again. And whether or not you are playing chaperone this year, anyone who will be out and about this Halloween needs to be aware of the unique risks that arise on October 31st.

In any given neighborhood across the United States, hundreds of children will be roaming the streets in their best costumes, in search of the biggest candy haul. This creates an automatically more dangerous situation for any accompanying parent, and any person driving a car on this day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the number of deaths among young pedestrians (aged 5 to 14) is four times higher on Halloween, between 4pm and 10pm.

Here are some ways to keep you and those around you safe on the roads this Halloween.

when trick-or-treating with children

-Keep an eye on your children at all times.
-Stick reflective tape on your kids’ costumes and bags.
-If you live in an area without streetlights, bring a flashlight.
-Teach your children how they should be safe while crossing the road.
-Make sure that no one crosses the road without your help.
-If your kids are wearing costumes that restrict their vision, make sure that they are extra careful, and that you help them when crossing the road if necessary.
-Be careful with longer costumes that may cause them to stumble or trip.
-With so many people out, it might be tempting, but do not walk in the road. Always stick to the sidewalks.
-Make an effort to only cross the road at crosswalks or at street corners, where possible. Never cross the road where visibility is poor.

when driving

-Slow down in residential areas and follow traffic signs and signals.
-Drive at least 5mph under the usual speed limit.
-Be aware that even roads that are not normally busy will be more crowded, perhaps with children who are less aware of road safety.
-Remember that children are also much shorter than the average adult, so they may be more difficult to see.
-Be prepared for children to dart into the road without warning.
-Be particularly careful around driveways, by parked cars, or anywhere else where vision is restricted.

Halloween is only one night a year, and there is no reason that we should not all get through it without harm or injury. If both those with children and those driving on the road are aware of the risks, and both make an effort to be safe, we can hopefully prevent any accidents from ruining a fun holiday. As you go out trick-or-treating, have fun and above all, be safe!

Don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a Blu-Ray player in our Halloween giveaway–visit Facebook for the details!