Did you know that the celebration of Halloween started with the Celts 2,000 years ago? Since then, the holiday has gained a massive amount of popularity specifically in the United States; according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), more than 175 million Americans are planning to participate in Halloween events and activities this year. With such a large amount of people of all ages out and about for the night, it’s a good idea to implement some safety precautions.
Whether you’re going out with friends or trick-or-treating with the kids, follow these Halloween safety tips to keep your night as safe and enjoyable as possible:
- Look both ways before crossing the street. This seems super basic and it should be something you do every day, but it’s especially important on a night when such a high volume of people will be on the road.
- Bring a flashlight.It’ll only get darker as the night goes on and, although you may be in the mood to get spooked, it’s unsafe to wander around in the dark without a light source. Most smartphones have a flashlight built into them, so you’ll be fine to simply bring your phone as long as it’s charged.
- Don’t drive drunk.If you’re attending a Halloween party where alcohol is served, make sure you know how you’re getting home; either assign a reliable designated driver or plan on taking an Uber/Lyft. Between 2012 and 2016, 44% of fatal car accidents on Halloween night involved a drunk driver. Drive sober or don’t drive at all.
- Use reflective tape on costumes or trick-or-treat bags.Messing with the flow of your or your kid’s costume with reflective tape may not be ideal, so consider adding some to the outside of their trick-or-treating bag. This will make you more visible to passing cars and decrease the possibility of an accident.
- Children should trick-or-treat with an adult.It’s best for children 12 and under to be accompanied by at least one responsible adult when trick-or-treating. Young teens should stick with their group, and make sure to go out in familiar neighborhoods. Children should never be out on Halloween night alone.
- Make sure costumes and masks fit correctly.Before purchasing a mask, be sure you or your child can see out of it with no issues. Also, check any costumes to make sure none of thematerials serve as tripping hazards. It’s best to not have to worry about an ill-fitting mask or costume when you’re trying to enjoy your Halloween festivities!
- Be on high alert when driving at night.5:30 pm 9:30 pm is the most popular time range for trick-or-treaters to be out and about, so be extra mindful if you need to drive during this time. Maintain a slow speed in neighborhoods, and pull out of your driveway cautiously. Be sure to have your headlights on so that trick-or-treaters are more visible to you, and you’re more visible to them.
Overall, it’s important to be mindful of your surroundings and take extra care when on or near the road. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
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