Keeping your Kids Safe on the Road at Halloween

October 29, 2009

Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for children to walk. As children scurry from house to house collecting treats, SafeKids.org and FedEx have joined up to help drivers do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm with the following tips:

* be especially alert in residential neighborhoods drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road
* be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances take extra time to actively look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs
* remember that costumes can limit children's visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle
* enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully
* remember that children are excited on this night and may move in unpredictable ways remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30-9:30 p.m.
* reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and pedestrians

As for your little trick or treaters, be sure they remember the following safety advice:

* Be sure to cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks look left, right and left again when crossing; always walk, don't run, when crossing streets
* make eye contact with drivers and watch for cars that are turning or backing up
* walk on sidewalks or paths; if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible
* never dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars

Finally: Parents, to help keep your little angels safer in their costumes, please make sure your children:

* wear light-colored, flame-retardant, costumes decorated with retro-reflective tape or stickers
* wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes to prevent trips and falls
* carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to drivers
* wear face paint and makeup; a mask can restrict a child's vision

Happy Halloween from the Ghouls at AskPatty.com!