Safety First: Tips for Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween

Halloween is a childhood favorite that evokes nostalgia in many parents. From the spine-chilling decorations to the creepy costumes, October 31 is a night full of magic and trickery. However, for parents, the scariest part is worrying about the safety of your children while they are out trick-or-treating.

According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be killed by a car while walking on Halloween night than at any other time of the year. As children take to the streets this Halloween, both parents and drivers need to know how best to keep our most vulnerable population safe.

But Halloween pedestrian crashes aren’t the only thing haunting the night. Instead of making Halloween the stuff of nightmares, make happy memories by recognizing the dangers your children face.

Scary Halloween Statistics

A 2019 study published in JAMA Pediatrics examined pedestrian fatalities on Halloween evenings using more than four decades of U.S. traffic data. The researchers found several notable differences between Halloween and comparable evenings before and after the holiday.

• Pedestrian fatality risk was 43% higher on Halloween evenings than on comparable evenings one week before and one week after Halloween.
• Children ages 4 to 8 experienced the greatest relative increase in pedestrian fatality risk.
• Pedestrian risks were highest around 6 p.m.
• On average, Halloween was associated with four additional pedestrian deaths compared with the control evenings studied.

Although the study examined data from 1975 through 2016, its findings highlight the importance of visibility, safe street crossings and attentive driving when more children are walking through neighborhoods after dark.

How to Help Keep Trick-or-Treaters Safe

As a parent or guardian of children who will be trick-or-treating this year, there are several steps you can take to help make Halloween safer. Children can be particularly vulnerable to traffic-related injuries because they:

• Are smaller than adults and therefore less visible to drivers
• May be so excited that they forget their basic safety tips
• Have trouble judging distances and speeds
• Have little to no experience with traffic rules

Trick-or-treating doesn’t have to be risky. Following basic safety precautions can help reduce the risk of injuries while trick-or-treating.

Young Children Should Trick-or-Treat with an Adult

For more than just visibility purposes, young children should trick-or-treat with an adult. If you believe your child is mature enough to trick-or-treat without an adult present, remind them to stay close to their trick-or-treat group and remain in familiar areas that are well-lit.

Use Flashlights, Glow Sticks and Reflective Treat Bags

Drivers may have a harder time seeing your child while they are trick-or-treating. Consider giving your child glow sticks or a flashlight or adding reflective material to treat bags and costumes to improve visibility.

Stay on the Sidewalk and Off the Road When Possible

Trick-or-treaters should use sidewalks when available and cross streets at designated crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.

Avoid Crossing Back and Forth Between Houses

Children should avoid constantly crossing from one side of the street to the other. Plan a route ahead of time that minimizes unnecessary street crossings and encourages children to cross at corners or crosswalks whenever possible.

Choose Costumes That Do Not Obstruct Your Child’s Vision

Costumes should not obstruct a child's vision or hearing. Masks and costume accessories that cover the face or eyes can make it more difficult to see traffic and other hazards. Consider face paint or makeup as an alternative when appropriate.

Put the Devices Down

While walking, parents and their children should put the devices down. Cellphones are an excellent way for your older child to contact you while they are out trick-or-treating. However, cellphones can be a distraction and lead to trips and falls. Encourage your child to remain away of their surroundings at all times.

Costume Safety

Costumes can cause several troubles for unsuspecting parents and children. To avoid last-minute costume adjustments, in the weeks leading up to Halloween parents should make sure that their children’s costumes are:

• An appropriate length. Costumes that are too long can create a tripping hazard. Make sure your child’s costume fits properly and does not drag on the ground.
• Flame-resistant. Look for costumes, masks, wigs and accessories labeled “flame-resistant.” Keep costumes away from candles, jack-o'-lanterns and other open flames.
• Safe for us on skin. If your child's costume includes makeup, use products intended for cosmetic use and test a small amount on the skin in advance. Remove makeup before bedtime to help prevent skin and eye irritation.
• All black or dark-colored costumes are hard for drivers to see and can easily be lost in a crowd. Reflective tape and glowsticks can help with this issue.
• Non-restrictive. A child should be able to move freely while in their costumes. Masks should also not restrict vision or the ability to breathe. Face paint is a safe alternative to wearing masks.

Halloween Driving

Remembering driver responsibility on Halloween is just as important as reminding trick-or-treaters to keep themselves safe on Halloween night. As children take to the streets for trick-or-treating, their risk of being injured by motorists significantly increases.

Halloween is considered one of several party nights. If you are planning to drink, have a designated driver or use a rideshare, taxi or other transportation service. Trick-or-treating times vary throughout the nation, but drivers should expect increased pedestrian activity from late afternoon through the evening. Drivers should always:

• Watch for children entering the roadway unexpectedly
• Slow down in residential areas
• Avoid distractions behind the wheel
• Stay alert

Stranger Danger Still Counts on Halloween

Remind your child to never go into a stranger’s home or car. When trick-or-treating, your child should only travel in familiar, well-lit areas and stay with their friends or trusted adults.

Wait to Eat Goodies

Ask children to wait until they get home before eating their Halloween candy. While some Halloween candy urban legends are exaggerated, parents should inspect candy for damaged or opened packaging and remove items that may pose choking or allergy risks for their child.

The FDA also recommends checking commercially wrapped treats for unusual appearance, discoloration, tears or other signs of tampering.

How The Carlson Law Firm Can Help

Halloween should be a night children and families can enjoy safely. Drivers can help by slowing down, staying alert and watching carefully for pedestrians, while parents can take simple steps to make children more visible and reinforce safe street-crossing habits.

If you or your child was injured in a pedestrian crash, speaking with an attorney can help you understand your legal options and whether another party may be responsible. The Carlson Law Firm offers free consultations to individuals and families with questions after an injury.