How Can I Keep My Kids Safe When Trick-Or-Treating?

Halloween will be here before you know it, and parents are rightly concerned about their kids’ safety when trick-or-treating. While dressing up in costumes and going door to door is certainly fun, it also entails many risks. SafeKids.org offers the following tips so you can rest assured that your children will be safe and secure this Halloween.

Keep in mind that young children, such as those under 12, should not be left to trick-or-treat on their own. It can be difficult for these kids to navigate the streets on their own, which increases the risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident. Older kids should travel with others and parents must emphasize the importance of sticking to well-lit paths in familiar neighborhoods.

Additionally, parents should talk with their kids about safety when walking. Electronic devices, such as smartphones, should not be used while walking or crossing the street. Walking distracted can be just as dangerous as driving while distracted, especially when traversing intersections. Make sure your children are aware of the proper procedure for crossing the street. Pedestrians should look left, right, and left again before crossing, while also remaining alert when actually crossing the street. Kids should also only cross at crosswalks and not in between cars.

The type of costume your child wears can also pose a safety issue. Masks are problematic, as they can obscure vision, so advise your kids to not wear them while walking. Costumes should be made more visible with reflective tape or vests, which will call the attention of drivers. Costumes should also be sized correctly. When pants are too long they increase the risk of tripping and falling, and thusly make it more difficult to cross the street in an expedient manner.