Halloween is a time for fun costumes, spooky scares and buckets overflowing with candy.  But with all of the excitement, parents and children may overlook the safety risks that come along with celebrating this treat-filled holiday. With some simple planning and precautions, we can all create a safe environment for children to have fun! 

Here are some tips from Kids Safe Worldwide to help ensure your children have a healthy and safe Halloween.

Walk Safely

1. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.  Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
2. Put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, do not run, across the street.
3. Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
4. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
5. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.  Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
6. Join children under age 12 for trick-or-treating.  If children are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

Costumes for a Safe Halloween

1. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
2. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
3. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
4. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

1. Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
2. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
3. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
4. Get rid of any distractions – like your phone – in your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
5. Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
6. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.  Be especially alert for kids during those hours.

A safe Halloween is a happy Halloween!  For more safety tips, contact Azrael Franz.