Halloween safety advice with trick-or-treaters making the rounds
Halloween is a time of year when excited children are out in droves past dark, creating safety concerns for all involved.
Drivers must prepare to drive slowly on Halloween. On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween as on any other day of the year, according to Safe Kids Worldwide, a non-profit organization working to prevent childhood injury.
Parents must be equally cautious. Though children may be excited to bite into that king size candy bar the moment they leave a generous house, parents are advised to check all candy for tampering first.
Here is more Halloween safety advice for children, parents and drivers from Morristown Department of Public Safety.
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Walk safely
Cross the street at the corners and use crosswalks
Look both ways before crossing the road
Always walk on sidewalks
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Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up
Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars
Always assume that the driver can’t see you and act accordingly
Trick or treat with others
Trick or treat with an adult
Never trick or treat alone, always go in groups
Keep costumes creative and safe
Decorate costumes with reflective tape and choose light colors
Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights
Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls
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Drive extra safely on Halloween
SLOW DOWN
Be alert in residential neighborhoods
Take extra time to look for kids at intersections and on sidewalks
Enter and exit driveways slowly and cautiously
Eliminate distractions inside the car and focus outside
Turn on your headlights earlier in the day to help spot kids sooner
Keep in mind the popular trick or treating hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. so be extra cautious during those hours.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Halloween safety tips for drivers and trick-or-treaters
