Halloween Safety Tips

5 Halloween Tricks for Getting Home Safely

 

Halloween 2021 is here! This Sunday thousands of trick or treaters from around the country will embark upon a time-honored tradition. As little goblins and ghouls get ready to come knocking on your door, it is a good idea to prepare ahead so that you and your loved ones all get home safely.

Pedestrians at Risk

Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for pedestrians. A 2018 study found that children are more likely to be killed by a vehicle on Halloween night compared to any other night. Sadly data indicated that there was a 43% increase in the risk of pedestrian death and that young children (between 4-8) had a 10x greater risk of being killed in a pedestrian accident.

Staying Safe on Halloween

In order to keep yourself and your young ones safe on Halloween night, it is important to think ahead about where you are planning to celebrate. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has several recommendations for keeping people safe on Halloween. 

  1. Never Drink and Drive

Driving under the influence puts yourself and everyone around you at risk. Halloween night can be particularly dangerous because of the large numbers of young children darting in and around neighborhoods. If you do plan to go out, find a sober driver or use a rideshare.

  1. Drive Slowly

Little ones do not always pay attention to cars that may be coming down the street. By driving slowly through neighborhoods or areas with heavy pedestrian traffic you can allow yourself plenty of time to stop.

  1. Stay Alert

Fatigued driving can be extremely dangerous. If you are on the road, stay alert. Check your surroundings often and never take your eyes off the road.

  1. Serve Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Lots of Food!

If you are hosting a party, be sure to serve lots of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Give people lots of options other than alcohol so that they can make smart choices. If they do drink too much give them the opportunity to find another way home or find sleeping arrangements until it is safe to drive.

  1. Help Others Get Home Safely

Take car keys, use a rideshare app, call a cab – anything you can think of to help partygoers get home safely is a good idea. 

Final Thoughts

If you are taking little ones trick or treating take a flashlight or wear reflective clothing to ensure that you can be seen by drivers. Stay safe and have fun this Halloween!