For adults, if Halloween falls on a weekend, Halloween can be a fun time to dress up and throw a party. This could also be potentially dangerous if alcohol and driving are involved.
Unfortunately, according to Safe Kids Worldwide, twice as many children are hit and killed by cars between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Halloween compared to the same time frame on any other day of the year.
What are some tips to keep your child safe during Halloween?
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) suggests that adults follow these tips for a safe and fun Halloween:
- Make sure your child knows the potential dangers from strangers. Make sure they know never to accept rides from strangers or visit unfamiliar homes or areas.
- Make sure your child stays on the sidewalks as much as possible (off streets) and obeys all traffic signals.
- Avoid costumes that could cause children to trip, such as baggy pants, long hems, high heels and oversized shoes.
- Make sure costume fabric, wigs and beards area made of flame-resistant materials, such as nylon or polyester.
- Make sure costumes are visible at night: avoid dark colors and add reflective tape to costumes so your child is more visible to motor vehicles.
- Take a flashlight while trick-or-treating as visibility decreases long before it gets really dark.
Listen in as Ryan Stanton, MD, shares the potential dangers of Halloween night and how you can be safe on Halloween.
Dr. Ryan Stanton is a practicing board certified emergency physician in Lexington, KY, as well a a spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians. He also serves as the medical director for Lexington Fire/EMS. Have two young children of his own, he is focused on the health and safety of our youth. He produces Everyday Medicine which is a podcast on iTunes as well as ACEP Frontline.