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68℉10 Tips to Keep Trick-or-Treaters Safe this Halloween
Post Date:10/31/2023 7:30 AM
Kids and adults alike love the magic of Halloween, but this holiday can also bring serious safety risks you should be aware of. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrian-involved auto accidents. To help everyone enjoy this spooky holiday safely, the San José Fire Department has put together ten Halloween safety tips for pedestrians and motorists:
Pedestrian Safety Tips
- Children under the age of 12 should go trick-or-treating with a responsible adult. Teach young children how to call 9-1-1 in case they get lost or separated.
- If your child is mature enough to go out without supervision, it's still important to plan and review their activities. Agree on a specific time they should return home, remind them to never enter a stranger's home or car, and have them carry a cellphone.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far away from the roadway as possible. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
- Make yourself visible to motorists. All trick-or-treaters should either carry a flashlight, wear a flashing strobe light, or stick reflective tape onto their clothes or costume.
- Practice safe crossing procedures. Cross the street at corners using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
Motorist Safety Tips
- Be extra alert for trick-or-treaters. Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. Look for children crossing the street mid-block or between parked cars.
- Avoid driving during peak trick-or-treating hours (5 to 9 p.m.). Encourage inexperienced drivers to stay home on Halloween.
- Report impaired drivers. If you suspect an impaired driver, immediately call 9-1-1.
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods. Drive at least five mph below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to trick-or-treaters who may dart into the street.
- Enter and exit driveways carefully. When backing out of a driveway, have someone stand behind the vehicle to make sure that no children are walking by.