As Halloween quickly approaches, it’s time to pull out your costumes, dust off those candy bowls, and get those jack-o’-lanterns carved. However, it’s also important to make sure you have an established safety plan in place for your family. On average, Halloween sees at least a 20% increase in fatal accidents involving pedestrians. Whether you’re a driver, trick-or-treater, or Halloween partygoer, keep reading for 13 Halloween safety tips to help your family have a safe and memorable night.
Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers
With trick-or-treaters out and about, drivers should be prepared for increased pedestrian activity on Halloween. Along with following our fall driving safety tips, drive defensively and keep these Halloween-specific hazards in mind.
1. Be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians
Drivers of larger vehicles should be especially mindful of blind spots and allow additional time and distance to react to pedestrians. Cut out distractions and be ready for kids to appear in unexpected places, like running out from between parked vehicles. Remove masks to avoid any risks of reduced vision while driving. Turn your headlights on to make it easier for you to see pedestrians and for other drivers to see you. If you’ll be driving after dark, review these additional nighttime driving safety tips.
2. Slow down and obey all posted speed limits
In an accident, the risk of fatality increases dramatically as you increase your speed. When speeding, you have less time to react to hazards, making it harder to brake in time. Following the speed limit is also an important part of our overall truck driver safety checklist.
3. Wear your seatbelt
Some costumes can be difficult to manage in a vehicle, especially the more pieces there are. Remove any extra accessories, such as tails, wings, and capes, to ensure you can be properly and comfortably buckled up.
4. If you see a drunk driver, report it to law enforcement
Besides watching out for trick-or-treaters, you also need to watch for unsafe drivers. If you see a drunk driver, report it immediately to your local authorities.
Halloween Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters
When you are trick-or-treating, getting your family and their sugary treasure home safely is the priority. Prepare ahead of time and act with these safety tips:
5. Add reflective tape or materials to costumes and containers
Many costumes tend to use dark colors, which can make trick-or-treaters harder to spot. Make it easier for drivers to spot you by adding reflective tape and materials to your outfits.
6. Bring a source of light
Stick to well-lit roads when possible. Bring flashlights with you so you can safely see the sidewalk and road. Consider adding glowsticks to your outfits or offering them to your kids to carry when it gets dark.
7. Follow the rules of the road and obey all signs and signals
Look both ways before crossing the road. Cross streets at designated areas, such as crosswalks, and only cross intersections when the pedestrian signal indicates it is safe to cross.
8. Supervise your kids while they are trick-or-treating
Children 12 and younger should be accompanied by an adult while trick-or-treating. Supervise your kids while you are out, so you can help them navigate traffic, unfamiliar areas, and other potential hazards.
9. Give pets plenty of space
While costumed pets are adorable, it is never safe to approach someone’s pet unless given explicit permission by the owner. Especially during Halloween, approaching an animal can cause it undue stress and increase the risk of biting. For pet owners, bring any pets safely indoors, use a leash, and always supervise them.
Halloween Safety Tips for Halloween Partygoers
Keep the scares at the party and off the road. Follow these tips to have a safe and memorable Halloween party:
10. Do not drink and drive for any reason
There is never a reason or time when drinking and driving is an acceptable option. Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver, arrange another way home, or choose not to drink.
11. Utilize the “buddy system”
For those walking to or from parties, utilize the “buddy system” and don’t walk alone. Help each other get home safely to enjoy future Halloweens.
12. Offer non-alcoholic drink options
For party hosts, offer non-alcoholic drink options for designated sober drivers, or consider cutting alcohol out of your Halloween celebration entirely.
13. If you’re hosting, take steps to make sure guests get home safely
As a party host, help your guests get home safely. Have people turn in their car keys if they are drinking, help them find a rideshare service or taxi, let them stay over, or offer them rides home yourself.
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