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Halloween is especially dangerous night for kids

Published October 29th, 2009 | 0 Comments

Halloween is one of the most thrilling nights of the year for children. It’s also one of the most dangerous.

As kids hit the street to trick-or-treat, the potential for accidental injury rises. Studies show children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year.

Halloween can indeed be scary, with increases in pedestrian injuries, burns and falls among children. But most of the risks children face on Halloween can be avoided if parents discuss safety precautions before trick-or-treaters head out the door.

For children younger than 12, it’s recommended that adults accompany them on their rounds. Police also recommend that the name, address and phone number of young children be attached to their clothes in case they get separated from adults.

For older children, safety experts recommend they travel only in familiar areas and along a pre-established route.

Children should never enter a home or an apartment building unless accompanied by an adult. A time for their return from trick-or-treating should be established beforehand.

Tell children to bring their treats home before eating them. Parents should check treats to ensure that items have not been tampered with and are safely sealed.

Be careful with fruit. Inspect the surface closely for punctures or holes and cut it open before allowing a child to eat it.

Studies show Halloween is the most dangerous night of the year for child pedestrians. Darting out into the street is one of the most common causes of pedestrian death among children. It is important to take the following precautions:

• Decorate costumes, bags and sacks with reflective tape and stickers.

• Use costumes that are light or bright enough to make children more visible at night.

• Remind children to walk, not run, while trick-or-treating.

• Remind children to stop at all street corners before crossing. Tell them to cross streets only at intersections and crosswalks.

• Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross.

• Teach them never to dart out into a street or cross between parked cars.

Adults out on Halloween should be especially vigilant. Watch for children walking in the street or on medians and curbs. Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.

Fires and burns are the third leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children.

If you have purchased a costume, make sure it has a flame resistant label.

Avoid costumes made of flimsy material and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. These are more likely to come in contact with an exposed flame, such as a candle, than tighter fitting costumes.

Keep candles, pumpkins with candles, matches and lighters out of children’s reach.

If adults and children take these precautions, Halloween can be a time of fun for young and old alike.

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