Halloween Safety Tips

On Halloween, drivers share the road with miniature ghouls, goblins and ghosts. Unfortunately, the combination can be scary but, by playing it safe, everyone can have an enjoyable time.

Parents, children, homeowners and drivers all need to use extra caution on Halloween. Drivers need to be particularly aware of the season’s shortened daylight and excited kids frantically going from neighbor to neighbor --- it can be a perilous combination.

Here are some tips to help ensure a safe night for all.

• Clear your yard of anything a child can trip over, such as garden hoses and ladders.
• Have an outside light turned on near your front door and walkway.
• Keep any paper and cloth decorations away from Jack O’Lantern candles or use battery/electric powered decorations.
• Keep any pets securely away so they don’t run out of the door, bite a child, or get scared themselves.
• For a change of pace, give non-food treats, such as stickers, pens, coins, or temporary tattoos.

• Parents should put reflective tape on costumes or add bright colors to increase visibility. And, make sure the costume does not drag on the ground.
• Make-up, rather than masks, should be worn to help ensure that children have a clear, unobstructed view of their surroundings.
• Wear only flame-resistant costumes.
• Do not carry anything that looks like a real knife, sword or gun.
• Children should stay on the sidewalk or, if none is available, walk on the left side of the street facing the lane of traffic.
• Children and parents should carry a flashlight to see and be seen.
• Trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult or travel in a group.
• Parents may want to limit kids to local events run by police stations, firehouses, senior citizen centers, local businesses, or organize their own through their school.
• Children should never eat unwrapped candy and should always have their parents see the treats before eating.
• Do not approach a dog you do not know.
• Children should eat a meal before heading out.
• Children should wear a watch and let you know where they will be.

• Although it’s best for kids to make their trick-or-treat rounds during daylight, that may not be possible. So, drivers need to be particularly careful at dusk and when driving either over a hill or around a curve, where visibility is limited.
• Use high beams for greater visibility and to be seen by pedestrians. And, drive slowly.
• Drivers need to keep a careful eye on the sidewalk as well as the road, to anticipate anyone darting out from between parked cars.
• Do not assume children can see you or are paying attention. You need to take that responsibility.

This article was prepared by Direct Response Corporation on December 6, 2006, parent company of the Response Insurance Group, certain of whose member insurance companies underwrite the Teachers' Insurance Plan, as a service to you.

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