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6 safety tips to make this Halloween a treat

A girl with a Halloween bucket smiles as a woman adjusts her costume.

Oct. 25, 2024—Halloween is a much-loved holiday among kids and adults alike. There's a lot to look forward to: coming up with the perfect costume; planning spooky family fun; and, of course, trick-or-treating.

But the scariest thing about Halloween is this statistic: Children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to the National Safety Council.

Low light makes it harder for motorists to see children crossing the street. And there are more children on the roads and sidewalks than at other times of the year. Kids also may have a hard time seeing clearly if masks and hats are part of their costumes.

Planning—and some common-sense caution—can help you keep your trick-or-treaters safe as they go from door to door. These six tips can help:

1. Go with your kids. An adult should always accompany young children around the neighborhood.

2. Set rules with your older children. If your kids go trick-or-treating with their friends, agree on a planned route and a specific time they will be home. Remind them to stay together. They should go only to houses with a porch light on and never enter a house or car for a treat. Each child should carry a working flashlight or glow sticks.

3. Make sure costumes are safe and visible. Choose bright colors. Check for tripping hazards, like long hems or ill-fitting shoes. Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags. See that hats and masks fit properly so your kids can see where they're going. Makeup may be a safer choice—it won't block your child's vision.

4. Cross streets safely. Cross the street at stop signs and traffic lights, never between parked cars. Obey the crosswalk signals, and look left and right before entering the intersection. Crossing in groups is safer than crossing alone.

5. Stick to sidewalks and paths. If there are none, walk along the street as far to the left as possible, facing traffic.

6. Avoid distractions. Remind your kids not to look at their phones while walking. Set a good example for them by putting your own phone away.

Drive safely on Halloween

If you plan on getting behind the wheel Halloween night, check out these six tricks to help keep your focus on the road.

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