Halloween safety: keeping children safe trick or treating during Covid

Halloween has always been one of children’s magic holidays. They go to school and have their classroom party and get to go in the haunted house. Afterwards, they will get to go trick or treating. However, this is where parents start to get concerned. Pedestrian safety is the main concern on Halloween night.

Children are more likely to be killed by a car on Halloween than any other holiday. Oct ranked 2 in deaths by motor vehicle. 3700 people died in vehicle crashes in October.

Halloween Quick Facts

Children who will be out tonight-41 million
Halloween is the deadliest day for children & pedestrian car incidents
Your child is twice as likely to be involved in a pedestrian related accident on Halloween
60% of Halloween accidents happened between 5 and 9 pm
30% of Halloween pedestrian accidents occurred in a crosswalk or intersection
32% of fatalities were ages 12-15, 23% were ages 5-8
63% of Children don’t carry a flashlight
About 83% of children don’t have any reflective tape or reflective clothing
69% of parents do not accompany their children while they are out on Halloween
12% of children under the age of 6 are allowed to go out on their own
52% of auto accident fatalities on Halloween are alcohol related
41 People are hurt in house fires on Halloween
House fires cause around 13 million dollars in property damage
85% of parents bring alcohol to Halloween parties
65% of parents never discuss the safety of their children on Halloween

Covid 19 and Trick or Treating this Halloween

The CDC has recommend that children do not replace a cloth or surgical mask with a costume mask. Costume Mask, according to the experts, will not stop the spread of coronavirus. Mask are extremely encouraged for activities inside a dwelling. Children under 12 should still wear a mask. In other words, wear a mask under your mask

Travel in small groups with family or friends, don’t go with strangers.

Halloween safety while trick or treating

Some of these are a given. Never let your children eat any treat until they get home. Parents need to check them out to make sure they are safe. Children never need to go into someone’s home or car, unless of course it’s someone they know.

Costume safety

Make sure you pick a costume or make one that won’t cause any hazards to your children.
Give your children glow sticks for trick or treating on Halloween
Make sure they have some sort of reflective tape on them
If you buy your child a costume, make sure it is fire resistant or flame resistant (this does not mean the costume won’t burn, it just means it won’t go up like a roman candle).
Avoid costumes that limit your child’s visibility. (Hoods, Mask, Etc.)
Make sure they are not carrying real items that are dangerous (knives, swords, guns, etc)

Trick or Treating Safety

Don’t use your phones; don’t let your children use their phones while trick or treating. They need to be paying attention to where they are walking.
Make sure you accompany your children-don’t let your children walk alone trick or treating this Halloween season.
Make sure to check all the loot before eating the treats
Ration the loot, don’t need to see the dentist too soon
Bring a flashlight with extra batteries
Make sure to walk on sidewalks if available
Walk facing traffic if no sidewalk is available
Dont eat homemade treats, throw them away
Only eat factory wrapped candy
Turn on mobile tracking for your children
Consider making your children or Trick or treat with other children in groups
Walk, don’t run. Children get excited, but they need to walk
Only visit homes that are well lit and have porch lights on
Never go into anyone home, unless it’s yours

For older children who are going out alone

Make sure everyone knows what time they need to be home if your children are going out alone
Agree on a route that your children will take so you know where they are at all times.
Make them take a communication device and communicate with parents
They need to never ever get into a strangers car
Make sure their route takes them in well lit areas

Safety for the home on Halloween

Make sure your lights are on
Pets should be put up , don’t chance your “nice” dog not biting anyone
Make sure your walkway is well lit and obstacles are out of the way of foot traffic
Instead of candy, and out things children can use such as pencils, erasers, stickers, chalk, etc. Your house will be avoided every year after this one for sure.
Candles should be put in places as not to cause a house fire

Safety Tips for Motorists

If you are traveling with your children or driving during trick or treating you may need to follow some simple guidelines to be safe

Don’t drink and drive
No speeding
Ditch the cell phone
Turn on your headlights earlier than normal
Watch for children, they will be everywhere trick or treating. Some may be wearing dark clothing
Don’t let young drivers drive younger children
Enter and exit intersections and driveways more cautiously

There are a lot of parents who drive through the neighborhoods with carloads of children. While it is good they are in good hands, this puts a lot more traffic on neighborhood roads than normally would be there. So for those parents who are driving the minivan full of kids, pay attention.

Halloween is an exciting time for children and adults. Your children need to be safe while trick or treating. Checking candy can be a hard thing to do if you don’t know what to look for. You can go here for a little guide on how to check it. Make sure your children have fun and build some memories trick or treating this Halloween.