SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — The excitement of Trick-or-Treating and everything Halloween is well-loved by all ages. While a good scare never hurts anyone, some scary situations are best avoided.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, kids, on average, are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than any other day of the year. Parents taking their children Trick-or-Treating should follow some guidelines to keep them out of harm’s way.
While planning costumes and choosing bags, consider ways to decorate them with reflective tape or stickers.
Safe Kids Worldwide also suggests wearing light colors and carrying glowsticks or flashlights. Not only can light prevent tripping, but it also gives drivers a better chance of seeing them before it is too late. Adjust costumes as needed to prevent trips and falls.
Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) says teaching children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them and not running across the street can save a child’s life.
Be alert for backing up and turning cars and walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
While walking around, avoid looking down at electronic devices. While your attention is on your device, it leaves children unsupervised.
Halloween is a great time to also teach kids about stranger danger, and while there are many people excited to give out candy to excited trick-or-treaters, avoiding suspicious people or houses can only help.
SVFD says to only approach houses with porch lights on and never go into a stranger’s home. For more independent and older kids, staying in groups is safer than traveling alone.
Drivers should be just as aware during Halloween, especially from popular trick-or-treating times from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cars should have their headlights on and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, medians, and curbs.
Slow down in residential neighborhoods and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic.
Using as many processions as possible and staying alert can not only save lives but keep Halloween fun for everyone.
