Halloween can be a lot of fun for both kids and adults. Who doesn’t love trick-or-treating or visiting a “haunted” attraction? The Hartwell Corporation participated in Boo at the Zoo this year and we had a blast handing out candy to many princesses and zombies. While Halloween is fun, we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Below are a few safety tips for you to consider:
Trick-or-Treating Tips:
Have kids carry glow sticks, LED bracelets or necklaces, or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
When crossing a street, look left, right and left again and keep looking as you cross.
When possible, cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street. If there is a car coming it is better to stop and wait for the car than to try to beat it.
Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. This way you can see the cars that are coming. Children should try walking on direct routes with the fewest street crossings as possible.
Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. 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 to maximize safety.
Keep Costumes both Creative and Safe - choose face paint whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape, glow sticks or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. This makes them easier to see as it gets darker.
When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Also make sure the child can move freely in the costume.
Driver Safely Tips:
When driving on Halloween, slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways. Trick-or-Treating can start in the later afternoon around 4 and go until late evening.
Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, along the side of the road and on curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. You never know if a child is trying to cross and may dart out suddenly.
Eliminate any distractions, including your phone, 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.
Have a fun and safe Halloween!
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