Halloween is a night full of excitement, costumes, and plenty of candy! Kids look forward to Halloween all year, and it's no surprise—with trick-or-treating, haunted houses, and pumpkin patches, there’s so much fun to be had. But with more children out and about, especially after dark, Halloween is also a night to keep safety top of mind. By following a few simple tips, parents, kids, and drivers can all help make Halloween a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
1. Be Seen and Stay Visible
Visibility is key to staying safe, especially since so many kids are out at night. Here’s how to make sure everyone can be seen:
- Add Reflective Tape: Apply reflective tape or stickers to costumes and treat bags to make them easier for drivers to see. If possible, choose light-colored costumes, which are more visible in the dark.
- Bring Lights: Kids should carry flashlights or glow sticks to help them see and be seen by drivers. These are easy to add to any costume and can make a big difference in low-light areas.
- Choose Face Paint Over Masks: Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, making it harder to see traffic and obstacles. Face paint or makeup is a great alternative to masks and still adds that spooky touch.
2. Stay Alert and Be Cautious on the Roads
Halloween brings extra foot traffic to neighborhoods, so it’s important for both kids and drivers to be extra cautious.
- Look Before Crossing: Kids should cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks whenever possible. Before stepping into the street, they should look left, right, and left again, and make eye contact with drivers to ensure they’ve been seen.
- Heads Up, Phones Down: It’s tempting to check phones while out, but remind kids to keep their heads up and phones down when crossing streets. Walking—not running—across streets helps everyone stay safe.
- Stick to Sidewalks: Always use sidewalks or paths when available. If there’s no sidewalk, walk on the far-left side of the road facing traffic. It’s safest to choose routes with fewer street crossings.
3. Tips for Parents and Caregivers
Parents can take a few extra steps to make sure Halloween is both fun and safe:
- Costumes That Fit Right: Make sure costumes aren’t too long or loose to avoid trips and falls. This way, little ones can enjoy trick-or-treating without tripping over their own outfits.
- Trick-or-Treat Together: Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. Older kids going without an adult should stay in groups and stick to familiar neighborhoods. Having a buddy helps them stay safe and adds to the fun!
- Set a Route: Discuss a planned route with older kids so they know which areas are best to stick to, and consider using reflective tape or glow gear to make it easier to keep track of everyone.
4. Important Reminders for Drivers
Drivers have a big role to play in keeping Halloween safe. Here are some reminders for anyone behind the wheel:
- Drive Slowly in Residential Areas: With so many kids on the streets, drivers should take it slow, especially in neighborhoods. Children may move unpredictably, especially when they’re excited.
- Extra Time for Intersections: Take extra time to look for children at intersections, on medians, and on curbs. Kids may not be paying attention, so drivers should be especially vigilant.
- Headlights On Early: Turning on headlights earlier in the day can help drivers spot children from greater distances, adding an extra layer of safety.
Making Halloween a Night to Remember!
By following these safety tips, we can make sure Halloween is a night filled with treats, fun, and memories. Whether you’re a parent, child, or driver, keeping safety in mind helps everyone enjoy Halloween to the fullest. From all of us at Safe Kids Benton-Franklin, have a spooky, fun, and safe Halloween night!
About Safe Kids Benton-Franklin
Safe Kids Benton-Franklin works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death for children in the United States. As part of Safe Kids Worldwide, Safe Kids Benton-Franklin is led by Benton-Franklin Health District and is dedicated to keeping children safe. For more information, visit safekids.org.