Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the U.S., and thanks to pop culture, other countries are increasingly joining in the fun. Parties, costumes, candy and decorations epitomize this spooky night. Once the sun goes down, kids roam the streets trick-or-treating, while many adults party until the wee hours.
The increased pedestrian traffic, impaired driving and darkness make it among the deadliest nights on the road, especially for little trick-or-treaters. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, the relative risk of pedestrian fatality is 43% higher on Halloween, meaning there are an average of four more pedestrian deaths on this night than the rest of the year.
Bringing this number down takes collective efforts by parents, children, drivers and the general community. Below are a few practical, safe Halloween tips for everyone.
See and Be Seen — Costume and Makeup Safety
Imagination runs wild when picking the best Halloween costumes. However, remember to prioritize comfort and safety even as you or your kids put together the coolest and spookiest outfit.
Here are some Halloween safety tips when purchasing or DIYing your costume.
- Make costumes with bright and reflective materials. Add strips of reflective tape to the front and back of the outfit, bags and trick-or-treat buckets to make it easier for motorists to see you and the children.
- Choose costumes made of fire-retardant material.
- Replace costume masks with makeup or hats to prevent obscuring vision. If you must wear a mask, ensure the eyeholes are big enough for a clear sightline. Face paint works well for little kids, but test it on a small area before full application to ensure it doesn't cause skin or eye irritation.
- Get well-fitting clothes and shoes to prevent trip-and-fall accidents, entanglements and contact with flames. Avoid costumes with exaggeratedly long capes or trains that drag on the ground.
- Glow sticks, flashlights and glow-in-the-dark accessories like necklaces can also boost visibility.
- To reduce the risk of eye injury, don't wear or allow kids to wear decorative or colored contact lenses without approval from a vision specialist.
Precautions to Take at Home
After the excitement of putting together the spookiest outfit has simmered down, it's time to decorate your home for Halloween. Besides making everything look festive, ensure your house, yard and front porch are safe for the trick-or-treaters who will drop by throughout the night.
Here are some precautions to make your home safe this Halloween.
- Use a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your jack-o-lantern.
- Remove tripping hazards such as garden hoses, wet leaves, lawn decor and toys from your front porch and yard.
- Ensure outdoor lights are functional and replace any burned-out bulbs.
- Restrain dogs and other pets who could jump on or bite innocent trick-or-treaters.
- When hosting a party, serve your guests plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Collect car keys and provide sleeping accommodations for those who choose to drink. If they must go home, hail a cab or rideshare for them.
Road Safety Tips
The significant danger on Halloween is on the roads we use every day. It's an excellent time to remind your kids of the basic safety rules and emphasize taking extra caution on this night. As a motorist, you should also be extra careful and avoid distractions, because you never know when a little trick-or-treater will excitedly jump into the road.
For Trick-or-Treaters
Before you let kids enjoy a fun and sugar-filled evening, review what you've already taught them about traffic safety. Additionally, parents should accompany children younger than 12 on their neighborhood rounds and not let them go off alone.
Here are some road safety tips for Halloween.
- Encourage older children to trick-or-treat in groups instead of individually.
- Plan and agree on a specific route that older kids should stick to and set a curfew for when they should return home.
- Advise kids to stay on well-lit streets and use the sidewalk or the far edge of the road facing oncoming traffic.
- Pedestrians should always look both ways before crossing. Also, they should only cross the street on established crosswalks and avoid running when doing it.
- Discourage new teenage drivers from driving on Halloween, especially when they've been drinking.
- If you choose to cycle, wear safety gear and turn on your bike's front and rear lights.
For Motorists
Motorists must be extra careful on Halloween to ensure their safety and that of all the other road users. Here are a few tips to remember.
- Slow down in residential areas, and pay extra attention, even no trick-or-treaters are in sight.
- Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. According to NHTSA, drunk driving caused 56 fatalities on Halloween 2020.
- When driving at night, turn on your headlights instead of using your daytime running lights.
- Don't over-rely on your vehicle's advanced driver assistance systems like the pedestrian detection system and emergency brakes. Remain alert and ready to take action if a gaggle of trick-or-treaters comes out of nowhere.
- Remember to put on your seatbelt and adjust your headlights to a low beam if the night is foggy.
- Watch out for children at crosswalks, intersections, curbs, alleys, driveways and between cars.
- Be on the lookout for kids in dark-colored costumes and other pedestrians.
- Don't use your phone or other electronic devices when driving.
Maximize Halloween Fun and Safety With AAA Auto Insurance
AAA can provide additional peace of mind as you navigate the dark streets on Halloween. We ensure pedestrian and motorist safety by offering our members emergency roadside assistance, towing, bicycle coverage and automobile accident protection. Your AAA membership travels with you, so you still have coverage even if you're a passenger in a friend's car during an accident or vehicle breakdown.
Contact us today to learn more about our membership programs or explore all our services and benefits. Have a safe Halloween weekend!
