Driving and Walking Safety Tips for this Trick-or-Treat Season
Updated: October 26, 2020
During the week of Halloween, ghouls, ghosts, princesses, kid construction workers, and many more characters will flood the streets collecting candy. It is important to keep safety in mind when trick-or-treating this Halloween, especially with the new complications related to COVID-19.
Halloween safety doesn’t just include candy safety, but also pedestrian safety. Darting or running into the road according to the National Safety Council results in 70% of pedestrian deaths or injuries for children ages 5 to 9, and about 50% for children ages 10 to 14. October is also ranked in the United States as the second-highest month for motor vehicle deaths, with over 3,000 deaths occurring. So keep children safe this trick-or-treat season by following some of these simple guidelines.
Trick-or-Treating Safety Best Practices:
It is important to not only keep an eye on your children/group but to keep communicating with one another. Staying in a group is important, but so is:
- Wearing reflective tape or having a flashlight can help drivers see you in low-light situations
- Carrying a cell phone
- Remaining on well-lit streets and using the sidewalk
- Crossing at established crosswalks
- Double checking that cars are stopped when crossing the street
- Watching for cars backing up or turning
Driving During Halloween:
Drivers need to be on the lookout and drive slower around high pedestrian traffic areas, while also:
- Driving with full headlights on
- Driving without distraction
- Watching for children in dark clothing
- Taking the time to look for children at intersections, medians, on curbs, or in between parked cars
- Being extra alert and driving slower during the peak trick-or-treating hours, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
These safety tips are essential to reduce the number of injuries and deaths for children during this time of year when many children are out and about. By keeping alert, drivers, parents, and guardians can make this Halloween season fun and spooky day/night for the children of your community.
COVID-19 and Halloween
In addition to keeping your eyes out for children while driving, and making sure children are well protected, COVID-19 has added some complications this year. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending to plan alternative ways to participate this year. Including holding a Halloween treat hunt for household members, having an outdoor costume parade or contest, and outdoor movie night. However, if you would like to continue to take part in the holiday the CDC asks that you wash hands when possible or use hand sanitizer, mask up, and keep a six feet distance See more details about the risks this holiday season by clicking here.
We at Danella wish you and your family a fun and safe Halloween! Remember to bring your flashlight!
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, National Safety Council, and Safe Kids Worldwide