HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

By Connie Hogue, Vice President of Human Resources & Safety

Kids love the magic of Halloween, but costumes and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters. Whether your Halloween plans are for adults or kids, there is plenty to consider before choosing a costume, putting on makeup, and eating a bag full of treats. These tips can help make the holiday safe and happy for everyone.

COSTUME SAFETY TIPS

• Wear bright and reflective costumes and be sure to choose one that will not cause safety hazards; all costumes, wigs, and accessories should be fire-resistant.

• Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping.

• If children are allowed out after dark, add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility, and give them glow sticks.

• Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over the eyes and blocking vision.

• Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision; always test makeup in a small area first to see if any irritation develops.

• Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye exam and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging for decorative lenses may claim "one size fits all", wearing these lenses without a prescription is dangerous. It can cause serious eye problems that can lead to permanent vision loss.

• Avoid using sharp or long swords, canes or sticks as costume accessories. They can easily hurt your child if they stumble, trip or fall.

PREPARING FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS

• Remove tripping hazards to keep your home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters. Clear the porch and front yard of items such as garden hoses, toys and bikes.

• Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

• Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps to prevent anyone from slipping on them.

• Restrain pets so they do not run up and jump on or bite trick-or-treaters.

HALLOWEEN STREET SMART

• Always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. If trick-or-treating does not start until after dark where you live, consider checking with your town or park district for Halloween activities offered earlier in the day. Research shows that evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. are the riskiest times of day for child pedestrians.

• If your older children are trick-or-treating alone, plan and review the acceptable route. Agree on when they should return home and get flashlights with batteries for everyone.

• Talk with kids about the risk of distracted walking. This includes text messaging, talking on or looking at the phone, and listening to music.

• Cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Most child pedestrian traffic fatalities occurred in midblock crosswalks rather than at intersections. Ensure kids know not to cross the street between parked cars or near driveways or alleys.

• Do not assume cars will stop because they have the right-of-way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.

• Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If one is not available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. Only go to homes with a porch light and, ideally, a well-lit pathway.

SAFETY TIPS FOR DRIVERS

• Be alert for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Slow down and continue to scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.

• On Halloween, there will be more pedestrians on the roads and in places where they are not expected. Slower speeds save lives.

• Stay alert for pedestrians who may appear between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop and wait for them to pass.

• Do not look at your phone when you are driving. Your attention needs to always be on your surroundings and the road.