I recently read a very sad article about how young pedestrian deaths double on Halloween night, in comparison to other nights of the year. Since 1990, more than 115 children and teens have been hit by a car and killed on Halloween night.
Though that number may not seem like a huge amount for more than 20 years, the number is on the rise, and of course if it ever happened to someone you loved, that one death would be all that mattered.
I wanted to write this post to make sure we are all aware of the dangers and can spread the word to keep children (and adults!) safe this Halloween. People worry about unsafe candy or mischievous Halloween pranks, being safe while walking around the neighborhood is certainly the biggest concern. And one that we can easily have control of!
Here are a few tips on playing it safe this Halloween:
- Don’t let children go trick or treating alone, even if it’s still light outside
- Always use crosswalks to cross the street, and never let children run across the street by themselves
- Carry flashlights and use them going from house to house
- Wear reflective clothing, just as late-night bikers and pedestrians would any other night
- Make sure teens aren’t distracted by cell phones if they go out on their own
- Drive extra slow on Halloween night, and always double check intersections when making a turn
If we all follow these precautions, we’re sure to have a much safer and happier Halloween experience. Now go enjoy the ghosts and goblins of the night!
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