Good-natured frights are half the fun of Halloween—but not when it comes to kids’ safety. On Oct. 31, let’s limit the scares to haunted houses, ghost stories and overly filtered Instagram selfies. By following these Halloween safety tips, you can help protect children from everything but the inevitable sugar rush.
See and Be Seen
• Promote visibility by choosing light-colored costumes and using glow sticks, flashlights or reflective tape.
• Masks are a recipe for more spills than thrills, so try using face paint instead.
• When crossing the street, use designated intersections and crosswalks, and always look both ways.
• Trick-or-treating in a group will help drivers see you more easily. It’s also way more fun.
Spiriting Away
• If your older ghosts are flying solo, walk through the route with them early in the week, and have set times for them to check in.
• Dashing from house to house is treacherous business if a costume is too long. Be sure to choose an outfit that won’t drag or get caught on things easily.
• Reinforce to your children that if someone invites them to come inside their house or vehicle to warm up, they should say no and immediately report it to a trusted adult.
• Be sure to check your children’s candy when they come home to ensure it’s safe (this includes guarding against potential choking hazards and allergens).
Driving Diligence
• Drivers should try to make eye contact with pedestrians. Masks, costumes and ‘Candy Distraction Disorder’ can diminish a child’s view of the road.
• Avoid in-vehicle distractions such as cell phones, loud music.
• If you’re planning to party, put the keys away and ensure you have a safe ride home.
• Watch your speed in residential areas—especially near playgrounds or schools, which often serve as neighborhood meeting spots.
• Be on the lookout for kids darting out from between parked cars.
With a little preparation and extra caution, we can make this a frightfully fabulous Halloween for everyone. Just watch out for that sugar rush—it’s a bedtime-killer.
