Parents are often concerned about their child's safety during Halloween. We've all heard horror stories about drug laced candy or poisoning – and child abductions do happen even on Halloween night. Yet, the real danger on Halloween night is automobile and pedestrian accidents. According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for child pedestrian accidents. In fact, 115 children have died on Halloween night between 1990-2010 –an average of 5.5 fatalities each year. This is more than double the daily average for the rest of the year.
In order to keep your children safe this Halloween, it is important to make a good plan, take the necessary precautions, and teach your children about automobile and pedestrian dangers. Earlier this month, we discussed some helpful tips parents could use on Halloween night to keep their children safe: Halloween Safety: Part 1.
Tips Parents Can Teach Their Children During Halloween:
- Do not run out from parked cars.
- Watch closely for cars backing out of driveways.
- Never cross the street without a trusted adult or older child.
- Walk – do not run.
- Use sidewalks whenever possible.
- Never walk in the middle of a street.
- When crossing the street always look both ways.
- If you are wearing a mask, be sure you can see clearly before you cross a street.
- Never assume a car is going to stop for you.
- Wear bright clothing, neon glow sticks, or reflective costumes when trick-or-treating at night.
Tips for Older Children & Teenagers During Halloween:
Teenagers and young adults face different risks. They may be out at Halloween parties where drugs or alcohol may be served. In order to keep your teenagers safe on Halloween, parents can:
- Educate teens on the dangers of drunk driving.
- Make them pledge never to get in a car with a drunk driver.
- Look both ways when crossing busy streets – especially on holiday nights when intoxicated pedestrians and drivers do not make a good mix.
- Just because you are at a crosswalk does not mean a car will stop. In fact, up to 80% of pedestrian accidents occur at cross walks and when pedestrians had the "right" of way.
- Put the cellphone away! Cellphones can cause distractions and make it more likely for you to be injured while walking, driving, and crossing the street.
- Pranks may be what your friends think is funny, but many are illegal. Harming personal property, animals, or others is against the law and could land you in jail.
- Impose a safe curfew for your teenagers.
Tips for Adults During Halloween:
There are so many ways adults can help keep kids, teenagers, and themselves safe during Halloween. Sadly, 58% of all traffic fatalities on Halloween night involve a driver with a BAC over the legal limit.
- Never drink and drive – always designate a sober driver, call Uber, or call a cab.
- If you are participating in Halloween, make sure your yard is free from debris and that it is well lit.
- Keep your sidewalks clear from obstacles that could hurt small children.
- If you have a dog, consider keeping him locked up and out of the yard.
- Drive slowly through subdivisions and in areas where trick-or-treating is occurring.
- Keep your windows rolled down when driving around children, listen for kids coming and always make sure your headlights are on.
- If you are backing up, be sure to back up slowly and use all of your mirrors to avoid hitting small children.
- Be hyper vigilant at intersections and in neighborhoods on Halloween night.
- Never assume a child or a pedestrian sees you in the road – use extra caution.
These are just a few tips to help keep you and your children safe this Halloween. Here at USSelfStorage.com, we want you and your family to be safe this Halloween season.
