Photo courtesy of Nick Fewings on Unsplash
Children are twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. The American Trauma Society, PA Division (ATSPA) and Safe Kids Pennsylvania are teaming up to bring awareness to safety issues around trick-or-treating and to provide alternatives that might save a life.
“Trick-or-treating is a great way to celebrate Halloween and allow children to have some creative fun,” said ATSPA CEO, Krista Brands. “Keeping safety in mind while planning Halloween activities can ensure that the evening is full of treats.”
Halloween costumes can increase the risk of injury to children. Follow the tips below when creating or selecting a costume.
- Use reflective tape and glow sticks to make sure drivers can clearly see your child.
- Avoid baggy outfits and flowing cloaks to prevent accidental tripping and falls.
- Shoes should be comfortable, with laces securely tied, to avoid tripping.
- Be sure to buy costumes that are labeled as flame-resistant.
- Avoid costumes and props with sharp edges.
- Unique costumes are recommended so your child is easy to pick out in a crowd.
- Use hypoallergenic face paints.
Dark conditions and increased crowds can also be a danger on Halloween; parents and caregivers need to provide active supervision throughout all festivities.
- Always have adults accompany children when trick-or-treating.
- Have a meeting place set up beforehand in case you get separated.
- Adults should check candy prior to allowing children to dig in.
- When passing out candy, have a non-food alternative in case of allergies.
- Keep your house well-lit for visitors.
- Carry a flashlight to help you see in the dark.
“Some parents may choose to skip trick-or-treating altogether,” said Jessica Ritter, Coordinator for Safe Kids PA. “Here are a few safe alternatives for Halloween fun.”
- Decorate pumpkins with members of your household and display them. Keep safety in mind if you are carving pumpkins, or use paint instead.
- Decorate your house, apartment, or living space.
- Have a Halloween scavenger hunt for Halloween items, candy, or age-appropriate trinkets.
- Host a costume contest with close neighbors, family, and friends.
- Enjoy a Halloween movie marathon.
Drivers can also make it a safe and happy Halloween by following the below tips.
- Eliminate distractions while driving.
- Take extra precautions during the early evening and night.
- Be aware of your surroundings and nearby pedestrians.
- Drive slowly in neighborhoods or towns where kids may be trick-or-treating.
- Be aware of when trick-or-treat takes place in your neighborhood or other places you may visit.
Using these tips and staying alert can keep parents and children safe this Halloween. ATSPA and Safe Kids PA wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!
The American Trauma Society, Pennsylvania Division is a non-profit organization committed to injury prevention and mitigation through education, intervention, and advocacy. Our work includes providing presentations and educational materials on many trauma prevention topics, including concussions, water safety, senior falls, bike safety, traffic safety, and much more. For information, call 717-766-1616 and visit www.atspa.org.
Safe Kids Pennsylvania (SKPA) is part of Safe Kids Worldwide’s global network dedicated to keeping kids safe from preventable childhood injury, which is the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19. These injuries range from accidental falls to poisonings, car crashes, drownings, and many more. SKPA promotes and supports childhood injury prevention activities through education, collaboration, and advocacy throughout Pennsylvania. Safe Kids Pennsylvania is one of many statewide coalitions under Safe Kids Worldwide and is led by the American Trauma Society, PA Division. For more information on Safe Kids PA, visit our website at https://www.pasafekids.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/safekidspa/.
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