Tips to Keep You and the Kids Safe this Halloween

Halloween is approaching, and while it is a fun time of the year, Halloween does pose some safety risks. In order to have a safe and happy Halloween, we have put together some helpful safety tips. For more Halloween safety tips, check out the Halloween Safety Guide.

Trick or Treat Safety

Here are some helpful tips to keep your kids safe when out getting their candy treats.

1. Children should always go trick or treating accompanied by an adult.
2. If you have older children, plan a safe route for them to travel and set a time for the kids to return home by. Make sure that at least one kid has a cell phone.
3. Make sure kids stay in populated areas that are well lighted.
4. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
5. Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home and are looked over.
6. Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick, or at least has reflective tape on their costume and can easily be seen by cars.
7. Make sure older kids know to stay together as a group if they go out without an adult.

Walk Safely

Here are some great safety tips to remind your children of when they are out and about walking this Halloween:

1. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks when present.
2. Look left, right and left again when crossing. Continue to look while crossing.
3. Put electronic devices away and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
4. Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
5. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
6. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Remind children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Driving Tips

Safety isn’t just for children to practice, make sure if you are driving this Halloween that you stay on the defensive. Here are some tips:

1. Don’t drive distracted. Make sure you put the phone down (in fact, this should always be the case).
2. Pay extra attention, particularly to crosswalks, intersections and the side of the road. Take extra time to look for kids.
3. Drive below the posted speed limit in residential areas during trick or treat hours (5:30 pm to 9:30 pm).
4. Be aware of stopped cars as children passengers may be getting in or out of the car.
5. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.

Also, if you are out celebrating this Halloween, please don’t drink and drive. Learn more about our Safe Ride Home Program and free cab rides home. Have a safe and happy Halloween, everyone!