Halloween can be one of the most fun nights of the year for children, but for parents, it can be the most nerve-racking. According to Safe Kids NC, twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
By taking just a few simple precautions, kids, parents and drivers can make the night fun and safe.
Tips for a Happy (and Safe) Halloween:
Safe costumes:
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colored clothing.
- Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, so choose non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.
- Have children carry glow sticks or flashlights so they can see better, as well as be seen by drivers.
Safe walking:
- Stay alert - Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up and don’t dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
- Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
- It’s best to cross the street safely at corners. Always look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
Safe driving:
- Drive slowly in residential neighborhoods. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m.
- Be alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and curbs. Children are excited and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
“On Halloween, more children are on the street after dark than normal, and because of their excitement, they may run out into the street without thinking,” said the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey, who oversees Safe Kids NC. “We’re reminding parents to talk to their kids about how to walk safely and are asking drivers to take extra care and slow down on neighborhood roads to make Halloween happy and fun for all.”
Safe Kids NC reminds parents to use glow sticks, flashlights and reflective trick-or-treat bags to make sure kids are visible to drivers. For more information about Safe Kids NC, contact director Shannon Bullock at 919-647-0081 or Shannon.Bullock@ncdoi.gov.
About Safe Kids North Carolina
Safe Kids North Carolina works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States.