WVU Medicine Children’s urges safety on Halloween

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Halloween can be a fun time of costumes and candy, but it’s also one of the more dangerous holidays for children. 

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, kids are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. 

The WVU Medicine Children’s Injury Prevention and Safety Program has some easy tips to make sure that everyone makes it home from trick-or-treat safely.  

First, check your child’s costume. Choose light colors and decorate with reflective tape. Always carry a glow stick or flashlight to make yourself easily seen.

Masks are also a hazard because they can obstruct the wearer’s vision, so choose face paint instead if possible. Costumes should fit properly to avoid tripping. 

WVU Medicine Children’s injury prevention specialists say parents should accompany children under the age of 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are old enough to venture out on their own, be sure they stay in familiar areas and with a group. 

Traveling can also be a hazard on Halloween. To make sure everyone is safe, drivers and trick-or-treaters should: 

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Put electronic devices down while driving and walking.
• Always walk on sidewalks or designated paths. If you must walk on the road, face traffic and stay as far to the left as possible. 
• Drive slowly and take extra time to stop at intersections. 
• Turn headlights on when driving earlier in the day to spot children more easily. 
• Be alert for cars that are turning or backing out of driveways. 

The most popular trick-or-treat hours are from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., so kids, parents, and drivers should be on extra alert during that time on Halloween.

For more safety tips from WVU Medicine Children’s and the Injury Prevention and Safety Program, visit WVUKids.org.