Playing it Safe on Halloween

Make your child’s Halloween a safe and memorable one.  Kids love dressing up in costumes, but mostly they love the treats.  Who wouldn’t? 

Before venturing out on Halloween with your ghost or goblin make sure to review some basic safety tips to guarantee a happy and safe holiday.  Here are just a few.

• Young children should always go out accompanied by a responsible adult.  Older children (with parent permission) should go with a group.
• If your older children are going out, make sure you have a planned route and set a time for them to return.  Make sure they have a cell phone.
• Remind older children to stay in well-lit areas, stay in populated areas, and not go off on their own.
• Instruct your children to not eat any of their treats until they bring them home to be checked out.
• Instruct your children to never go into a stranger’s house or car.
• Teach your children if anyone tries to grab them to yell, “This person is trying to take me!” or “This person is not my mother or father!” They should make every effort to escape.
• Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick and/or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.
• Teach your children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and to report anything unusual to you, a trusted adult, or law enforcement.

For those drivers on the road during Halloween:

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the evening so you can spot children from greater distances.
• Remember that costumes can limit children's visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.