Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to child safety. There are several easy and effective things that parents can share with kids to help reduce their risk of injury. On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

 

ALWAYS Trick or Treat With an Adult

Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If your children are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar routes and be as safe as possible.

 

Walk Safely

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crossings
• 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 pavements or paths. If there are no pavements, 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.

 

Keep Costumes Safe

 

 

• Buy all costumes from reputable retailers, and check that any you buy carry a CE mark on the label.
• Be aware that homemade fancy dress costumes or those not tested to the same flammability standards may ignite easily and burn quicker
• As with all clothing, Halloween and fancy dress outfits should always be kept away from fire, lit candles and all other naked flames
• Use flameless candles where possible. If lit candles are part of your celebrations always follow their safety guidelines, and remember:
  1. Always supervise children and pets if using lit candles
  2. Do not allow children to carry, play, reach over, light or be near lit candles
  3. Never leave a burning candle unattended
  4. Remember always to extinguish a candle completely after use
  5. Take care when using candles at Halloween. Do not carry pumpkins with lit candles inside, consider using battery-operated candles instead
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colours or reflective materials.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can
  obstruct a child’s vision, especially when crossing the road.
• Carry glow sticks or torches to help children and adults see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Make sure all costumes are safe and won’t catch light on candles or other decorations.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighbourhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for children at junctions, mini roundabouts 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 9:30p.m. so be especially alert for children during those hour

 

For more information on Halloween Costumes and downloadable safety packs visit ROSPA