Halloween is the holiday for trick-or-treaters of all ages. Kids and adults alike are looking forward to donning their costumes and heading out into the night to have a good time, whether that means going from door to door trick or treating, visiting a haunted house or going to a Halloween party.
Halloween is a time to have fun … but also to be careful. Pedestrians and drivers both need to exercise special caution while out on the streets. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Halloween is typically the second deadliest day for pedestrians after New Year’s Day. Children are four times more likely to be struck by a car on Halloween night than any other time of the year. It’s also one of the most dangerous nights of the year for drunk driving fatalities.
Scary right? Well it doesn’t have to be. Avoiding Halloween hazards isn’t difficult. Here’s a few tips to keep you safe and sound:
Trick-or-Treating Safety
Parents need to be especially attentive with children, the group most at risk for pedestrian accidents and injuries on Halloween.
- Children under the age of 12 should have adult supervision while trick-or-treating
- Stick to the sidewalks whenever possible
- Carry a flashlight with you
- Use reflective tape or stickers to make costumes more visible
- Use crosswalks when crossing the street
- Don’t cross between parked cars
- Look both ways before crossing the street
- Avoid walking on lawns as there could be slip, trip and fall hazards
- Cross with a traffic signal
- Don’t talk or text while crossing the street
- Make sure masks and costumes don’t restrict movement or visibility
Safety Behind the Wheel on Halloween
Expect the unexpected out on the roads!
- Slowly enter and exit driveways
- Don’t text while driving
- Watch speed limits
- Drive slowly in and around neighborhoods and residential streets
- The peak time for trick-or-treaters is 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
- Pull over at a safe location while dropping passengers off
- Slow down while driving through areas where trick-or-treaters are likely to be
- Be careful while driving past places holding Halloween events, such as parties and haunted houses
- Be sure to select a designated driver if you’re planning on drinking
Halloween Safety Tips for Party Hosts
Remember that you could potentially be held legally responsible for your guests’ behavior after they leave your party.
- Make sure your guests don’t drive after drinking.
- Don’t let guests walk alone after drinking.
- Serve plenty of food, non-alcoholic beverages, and less alcohol
- Beware of underage drinkers
Have a Ghostly Good Time on Halloween!
We hope these Halloween safety tips will greatly reduce the risk of injury for you, your friends and your children on this holiday. The Rivas Law Group wants everyone to have a safe and spooktacular Halloween!
