Tips to help ensure a safe and fun Halloween
Halloween can be a holiday that promotes family fun and unity. From choosing a costume to planning what activities the family will be participating in, this holiday creates an environment of family interaction, communication and planning. However, as parents we need to make sure that this holiday stays fun and safe. The last thing we want is to replace fun family memories with a tragedy. Safe Kids Worldwide provides the following safety tips to help keep your family safe during this holiday.
Walk Safely
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Trick or Treat With an Adult
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-ortreat in groups.
• Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
Even if you don’t celebrate Halloween, these tips can help keep your family safe during any time of the year. Make sure to have fun and stay safe this holiday. Happy Halloween!
Diana Maldonado, Community Outreach Specialist at Yuma Regional Medical Center, can be reached at dmaldonado@yumaregional.org.