Safe Halloween

Tips for a Safe Halloween

When walking:

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Before crossing look left, right and left again. Then keep looking as you cross. 
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up when crossing
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to
  the left as possible.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Make sure children know to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

When driving:

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and can be unpredictable 
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic. You should turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Other tips: 

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. 
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.