Rules for Safe Trick-or-treating
Halloween is a holiday about frights and fun, but when it comes to trick-or-treating, parents often have very real fears. You may have seen online posts claiming that more kids are struck by cars on Halloween than any other night of the year. While this is technically true, it leaves out the fact that there are more children outside on Halloween than any other night of the year. Halloween is not inherently more dangerous than other nights, but there are safety rules we should all remember.
Follow the Rules of the Road
Getting as much candy as possible is an important childhood mission, but kids shouldn’t let the excitement cause them to run out into the street. Stick to the sidewalks and cross only at corners, traffic signals, and crosswalks. Remind children to look both ways twice before stepping into the road and to never walk out between parked cars. Teach your kids to make eye contact with drivers before they cross in front of their cars.
Dress Smart
Great costumes are key to a great Halloween, but before you let your kids show off their amazing outfits, follow these tips:
- Decorate costumes and trick-or-treat bags with reflective tape and supply glow-stick necklaces and bracelets for accessories.
- Masks can block a child’s vision, so opt for face paint instead.
- Cinderella may need her glass slippers, but your trick-or-treater will have more fun wearing comfortable shoes.
- Make sure the costumes fit well and don’t have long capes or skirts that might cause a child to trip.
Drive Safe
If you are going to be out on the road on Halloween night, use extra caution. Young, excited children can behave erratically, so stay alert at all times. Slow down in residential areas, eliminate all distractions, and double-check for kids waiting to cross at crosswalks, intersections, and curbs.
By practicing basic safety, we can help all of our little goblins and ghouls enjoy a fun and safe Halloween.
GA Injury Advocates
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