Halloween can be an exciting time for children and with the distraction of candy and costumes, safety rules can easily be forgotten. There will be lots of little ghouls, goblins and ghosts out on the streets tonight and here’s how you can take extra care.
- Children under the age of nine should be accompanied by an adult or responsible older child since they may lack the developmental skills to cross the street on their own.
- Teach your child to stop at the curb, look left, right and left again, and to listen for oncoming traffic.
- Choose face paint instead of masks.
- Always cross at crosswalks, street corners or intersections – it’s unsafe to cross between parked cars or other obstacles.
- Stay on the sidewalk when walking from house to house, and if there is no sidewalk, walk beside the road, facing traffic so drivers can see you.
- Drive slowly in residential areas where children are more likely to be trick-or‐treating.
- Watch out for kids, many of who will be wearing costumes that limit their vision.
- Reduce distractions, such as cell phones or loud music, and stay alert.
- Children should wear costumes with bright fabrics or reflective material and be carrying a flashlight.
- Trick-or-treat in familiar areas that are well lit.
