Halloween Safety

Dockworker · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2008, 02:28 AM

Halloween is a cherished tradition but the excitement of the night can cause children to forget to be careful. There is no real "trick" to making Halloween a real treat for the entire family.
The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes. Many communities officially designate and assign specific hours for trick-or-treat activities.
Both children and adults need to think about safety on this annual day of make-believe.

Fatal collisions between motor vehicles and young pedestrians (under 15 years of age) happen most frequently between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. — prime trick-or-treating time.

Eighty-four percent of deaths among young pedestrians occurred at non-intersection locations (indicating children are most likely to dart and dash from mid-block into the street.)

Avoid using a cell phone while driving through neighborhoods. A single distraction could lead to a tragedy. Pay extra attention to the side of the road while driving.
Stay well below the posted speed limit during trick-or-treating hours.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan-don’t stare.
Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
Be prepared for anything. (ghosts, goblins, “Tinkerbell,” etc.)
Avoid passing other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway. Other vehicles could be dropping off children.
Never assume a pedestrian approaching the roadway will yield to your vehicle. Children may not see your vehicle approaching or might not be familiar with crossing roadways.
Make sure other drivers can see you. If you're driving a group of children, but you're staying in the running vehicle at the curb, be sure to put on your hazard lights to alert other motorists.
Make sure other drivers can see the children. Give the children flashlights and glow sticks or use reflective tape on their costumes. These items will help the children make their way in the dark and ensure that drivers see them.
At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
Be sure your children know how to cross a street. Instruct children to look both ways before crossing the street and to cross only at corners or crosswalks.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
Leave yourself an out. Maintain proper following distance and be ready to stop.