Halloween safety tips from USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital

By Casandra Andrews
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As many families prepare for a night of costumes and candy this Friday, Oct. 31, USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital reminds parents and drivers to make safety a top priority on Halloween and every day. Kids’ lives depend on it.

Child pedestrian deaths are more than twice as likely to occur on Halloween compared to any other day of the year, according to the Children’s Safety Network. Increased pedestrian traffic, low visibility, and distracted driving make the night especially dangerous, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Visibility and supervision are key

There are steps you can take to play it safe at Halloween. Courtney Thomson, RNC-NIC, community outreach education coordinator at Children’s & Women’s Hospital, said visibility and supervision are key to keeping children safe.

“Make sure kids are visible with bright costumes that stand out in the dark, and use reflective tape and flashlights,” Thomson said. “Stick to safe walking routes, use sidewalks when available, and walk facing traffic when sidewalks aren’t an option.”

Thomson said younger children should always be accompanied by an adult, and older children should have a planned route and avoid distractions such as cell phones.

Drivers also play a critical role in preventing accidents.

“Slow down, stay alert for kids darting between parked cars, and avoid distractions or impairment,” Thomson said. “It’s also a good idea to turn your headlights on earlier in the evening to improve visibility.”

Families are encouraged to plan trick-or-treating before dark when visibility is better and traffic is lighter. Setting up a meeting place in case of separation and reviewing safety rules ahead of time can help ensure a fun and safe evening, she said.

“The hazards are real,” Thomson said, “but with a few precautions, Halloween can be a fun family night out.”