- Children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on an average day.
- Nearly half of fatal crashes on Halloween involve alcohol impairment.
- Make kids impossible to miss by adding reflective tape to costumes, give them a flashlight or glow stick, skip vision-blocking masks and keep to well-lit, familar routes.
- Drive like every block is a sidewalk. Slow down, turn headlights on, keep your phone away and plan a sober ride.
As neighborhoods gear up for trick-or-treating, Insuranceopedia has released an evidence-backed guide for keeping families safe this Halloween.
“Halloween can be both magical and chaotic for families; low-light, crowded sidewalks and non-stop doorbell ringing,” says Max Coupland, CEO of Insuranceopedia. “A little prep goes a long way; make kids visible, pet-proof your candy and decor, slow neighborhood driving, and you’ve eliminated most of the risks of Halloween.“
Kids Halloween Safety Tips
Street smarts
- Cross the street at corners and use crosswalks at all times. Always try to make eye contact with drivers before you cross.
- Put electronic devices, like phones, down so you are staying vigilant of what’s coming your way.
- Never run across the street.
- Always walk on sidewalks. If there are none, then walk facing traffic on the far left of the road.
- Children aged 12 and under should be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating. Older kids who are unsupervised should be told to stick to well-lit, familiar routes.