Keep your child safe from distracted drivers on Halloween

You want your child to have a happy Halloween but also a safe one. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents involving kids on Halloween are distressingly common, so it’s important to take all the precautions you can when you’re out collecting treats.

With that in mind, here are some important safety reminders that can help prevent accidents with cars while you’re walking around:

Plan the costumes carefully

The costumes kids wear on Halloween are an important part of the safety plan. For the best results:

• Plan a costume that’s bright (so that it remains more visible in the dark) or add reflective tape to dark costumes.
• Use a neon or reflective treat bag or have your child carry a flashlight in their plastic pumpkin.
• Make sure that your child’s costume doesn’t drag on the ground (which could cause a fall in the street or limit mobility).
• If your teen is thinking about using decorative contact lenses with a costume, nix that idea. They can interfere with the ability to see clearly — which isn’t what you want when crossing streets.

Since the emphasis is on pedestrian safety, make sure that your child is wearing good footwear that won’t cause a trip or fall in the middle of the road.

Have a strategy when walking

If possible, try to get a group together when it comes time to collect treats from houses. If several parents and kids walk together, they’re easier for drivers to see.

Adults should steer the kids toward well-lit areas and streets with sidewalks. Remind everyone that it;s important to stop at crosswalks and to never assume that a driver sees them until the driver is stopped.

If your Halloween doesn’t go as planned and you or your child is hit by a car, find out more about your potential right to compensation.