Keeping Kids Safe on Halloween
Tips for Kids...and Drivers
TIPS FOR KIDS
Halloween is an exciting holiday for children, but they can be vulnerable to injury on this night. To ensure trick-or-treaters stay safe, Safe Kids recommends that children:
Always Trick-or-Treat with an adult until at least age 12.
Only Trick-or-Treat in familiar areas that are well lit
Cross Streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
Look left, right, and left again when crossing.
Always walk, don’t run, when crossing steets.
Make eye contact with drivers and watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
Never dart out into the dtreet or cross in between parked cars.
Wear light colored, flame-retardant, costumes decorated with retro-reflective tape or stickers.
Wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes to prevent trips and falls.
Carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to drivers.
A mask can restrict a child’s vision. Wear face paint and makeup instead.
TIPS FOR DRIVERS
Drivers need to do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm. Be extra careful this Halloween.
Be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
Drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road.
Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances.
Take extra time to activevly look for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs.
Remember that costumes can limit children’s vision and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
Remember that children are excited on this night and may move in unpredictable ways.
Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush hour period, between 5:30-9:30 pm.
Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and pedestrains.
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