Halloween Safety Tips

Soon drivers will be sharing the road with miniature ghouls and goblins when kids of all ages take to the streets to trick-or-treat for Halloween. The combination could be scary but with a little caution, both can have a safe, enjoyable time.

“Drivers need to be particularly cautious with the season’s shortened daylight and excited kids frantically going from neighbor to neighbor – it can be a perilous combination,” said Ron Licata, president of Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance Company. “Parents, children and drivers all need to use a little extra caution.”

Connecticut Life & Casualty offers some tips for kids, parents and drivers to help ensure a safe night for all.

Although it is best for kids to make their trick-or-treat rounds during daylight, with Halloween falling on a school day, that may not be possible. So, drivers need to be particularly careful at dusk and when driving either over a hill or around a curve, where visibility is limited. Use high beams for greater visibility and drive slowly.

Trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult or travel in a group.

Parents should put reflective tape on costumes or add bright colors to increase visibility.

Make-up rather than masks should be worn to help ensure that children have a clear view of their surroundings.

Trick-or-treaters may be caught up in the excitement of the day and not be as careful as they should. They should always cross at corners and look before crossing. But drivers need to keep a careful eye on the road and on the sidewalk, in case anyone darts out from between parked cars.

Children should stay on the sidewalk or if none is available, walk facing the lane of traffic.

Children and parents should carry a flashlight.

Children should never eat unwrapped candy and should always have their parents see the treats before eating.

Happy Halloween!