Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween may be one of the most fun nights of the year, but be careful to not really get ‘tricked’ into a dangerous or unsafe situation.

Using safety tips and some common sense can help you make the most of your Halloween season, keeping it as enjoyable for your kids as it is for you!

• Walk Safely – 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.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars. Trick or Treat With an Adult.
• 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. Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Drive Extra Safely on Halloween.
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Eliminate any distractions 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.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Courtesy of Crime Prevention Safety Tips Community and Media Relations Hollywood Police Department