Halloween and Trick-Or-Treating Safety

Halloween is an annual highlight for most families. Weeks or even months of planning go into decorating and choosing your child’s costume. By focusing on a few safety tips, you can also ensure your child’s safety when they head out to trick-or-treat.

The number of people hit by car or truck drivers jumps by about 50% on Halloween. However, the number of children who die in pedestrian collisions will double that day, with the biggest risk increase for kids aged four to eight.

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department (FLHSMV), drivers and pedestrians are roughly equally at fault for collisions in Tampa and across Florida. Thus, taking a few precautions can significantly improve your child’s safety while walking at night on Halloween.

Preparing for Halloween Traffic Safety

To enact the steps that can keep your child safe, you should first understand some causes of traffic accidents on Halloween. According to Tampa car accident attorney Jack Bernstein, increases in the following dangerous driving behaviors could lead to pedestrian crashes around Halloween:

• Intoxicated driving due to adult Halloween parties involving alcohol
• Drowsy driving by drivers who stay out late celebrating the holiday
• Distracted driving happens when drivers focus on costumes and decorations instead of roads

These factors are outside your control. However, you can plan your Halloween to minimize the impact of these factors on your child’s safety.

Steps To Make Your Child’s Halloween Safe

Halloween safety begins with parents. The steps you take before and during Halloween will have a direct effect on your child’s risk of a pedestrian accident. Drivers do not deliberately hit pedestrians. By taking a few extra precautions, you can help drivers to see and avoid your child during trick-or-treating.

Step 1: Pick or Design a Safe Costume

You should choose your child’s costume with safety in mind, even if it means compromising the costume’s appearance. Remember that the sun sets earlier at the end of October, and your child will likely be trick-or-treating in dim or dark conditions.

Increase your child’s visibility to drivers. Dark costumes can be difficult to see in poor light. Try to choose costumes with light colors, add reflective strips, and have your child carry or wear lights.

Additionally, pick a costume that allows your child to see clearly. Bulky masks can block a child’s vision and prevent them from seeing oncoming cars. Opt for makeup or small masks that can be removed when crossing streets.

Long costumes can be a tripping hazard. A driver might not see your child if they fall in the street — trim costumes so your child can walk without getting their feet caught in the material.

Step 2: Plan a Safe Route

Pedestrian accidents are more likely to happen in areas with high traffic and poor road design. Choose a route that minimizes the number of cars your child will encounter while trick-or-treating. Quiet neighborhoods are usually safer than major roads. Fewer cars on the road mean fewer chances for your child to get hit.

Additionally, choose a route with good pedestrian crossings. Cars are less likely to hit pedestrians crossing at crosswalks, particularly crosswalks controlled by traffic signals. Make sure your route has traffic lights for both intersection and mid-block crossings. Better yet, choose a route that does not include any crossings. For example, your children could trick-or-treat around the block.

According to the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration, about 77% of pedestrian accidents happen at night. Have your children trick-or-treat in neighborhoods with street lights. Drivers will be able to see your children, and your children will be able to spot approaching vehicles.

Step 3: Supervise Your Children

Talk to your children about safety before they head out for trick-or-treating. Explain the reasons you may need to add reflective strips or have them wear lights. If they understand the reasons, they will be less likely to rebel against them or, worse yet, remove them after leaving the house.

Children can become overwhelmed by the excitement of trick-or-treating. Many look forward to Halloween all year. Do not be surprised if they forget everything you discussed once they start collecting candy. You should trick-or-treat with your children, even if they are teenagers, just to provide a second set of eyes to watch for traffic hazards.

If you cannot supervise your kids, try to find a responsible adult to go with them. Neighbors and relatives are often eager to get into the holiday spirit and trick-or-treat with your children. Just remember to give them some advance notice so they can plan for it.

Step 4: Consider Alternatives To Trick-Or-Treating

Although trick-or-treating is traditional, the dangers posed to children seem to increase every year. Consider looking for alternatives and starting a new family Halloween tradition without trick-or-treating.

Children love Halloween parties. Ask your child to help you plan a Halloween party with food and activities. They will have more time to socialize with their friends, and they’ll decrease their risk of getting hit by a car.

Many businesses operate pumpkin patches or haunted houses throughout the Halloween season. Consider going out for Halloween to one of these activities instead of trick-or-treating. Your support of local businesses will help them to return next year.

Organizations, schools, and businesses throughout Tampa offer safe alternatives to trick-or-treating. If your child insists on trick-or-treating, look online for a trunk-or-treat event in a parking lot where you can avoid traffic hazards.

Your Role in Halloween Safety

The term “pedestrian accident” implies that cars randomly hit pedestrians. However, parents, teachers, and other adults have the power to improve a child’s road safety during Halloween.

Just remember a few tips. Choose a costume carefully, plan your route to avoid traffic, supervise your children, and consider alternatives to trick-or-treating. Planning, education, and supervision can significantly decrease the risk of a pedestrian collision without interfering with your child’s holiday enjoyment.

Citations:

Pedestrian Safety. (2022).
Staples, J., et al. (2018). Pedestrian Fatalities Associated With Halloween in the United States.
Traffic Safety Facts – 2021 Data – Pedestrians. (2021).