Keep the little ghosts and goblins safe this Halloween

Tomorrow is All Hallow’s Eve, which means there will be all sorts of pedestrians—most of them children—on the sidewalks and streets and in the dark.

Here are a few tips to help ensure everyone safely returns home on Halloween, courtesy of Safe Kids Worldwide.

First, for the kiddos:

  • Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross.
  • Put electronic devices down, keep your heads up, and walk; don’t run across the street.
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
  • Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
  • Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
  • Adults should join children under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  • Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape and stickers.
  • Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct vision.
  • Carry a glow stick or flashlight to see and to be seen by drivers.

Now, for the adults:

  • Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
  • Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, medians, and curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
  • Remove all distractions—like your phone—from your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
  • 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 9:30 p.m. Be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Also, it goes without saying – but we’ll say it anyway – to check the contents of your children’s bags before letting them eat. By remaining cautious and attentive, we can make Halloween a fun-filled night for all of us, especially the little ones.

Picture of Shane Schneider
Shane Schneider

Shane is the Editorial Content Manager for the Marketing and Communications Department at Saint Francis Ministries.

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