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Multi-ethnic group of children 3-6 years old, wearing halloween costumes.
Everyone loves a good treat on Halloween, but when it comes to child safety, there’s no room for tricks. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, on average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. However, there are several easy, effective ways parents and kids can help reduce their risk of injury, making Halloween 2024 one to remember for all the right reasons.
Top Tips for Safe Trick-or-Treating
Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids be seen by drivers.
Make sure costumes are flame-resistant and the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks, when possible, as masks can limit vision.
Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to go without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups. Never approach a car or accept a ride from a stranger.
If you’re concerned about high traffic in your neighborhood, consider organized events as a door-to-door alternative.
Remind trick-or-treaters to never enter a home; stay on the porch at every house at all times. Only knock on the doors of homes with their outside lights on.
Put down the phones. Keep your head up and walk, don’t run. (This goes for kids and adults!)
Don’t let kids eat any candy before you have a chance to inspect it.
Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks only.
Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
Be mindful when driving on Halloween: Kids are excited and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot them from farther away. Be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
Take extra time to look for kids at intersections and on medians and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Be especially alert for kids during those hours.
If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, be sure to call the Birmingham (or your local suburb) police immediately.