Halloween Hazards You Probably Aren’t Thinking About
It’s fun to take in the thrills and chills of Halloween, but only if the dangers are all pretend. October 31st always brings heavy pedestrian traffic, especially children who are dressed in dark colors and experiencing a full-on sugar rush. Do your part to reduce the risk of real-life scary stories by being extra vigilant.
1. Discuss road safety with your kids
The excitement of the celebration might distract your kids from what they already know about road safety. After all, even though your son normally stays in the crosswalk, once he puts on that Superman costume, all bets are off. A brief review before even leaving the house could help prevent them from taking off running across the road.
2. Help to make sure children stay visible after dark
If your house is on the trick-or-treat route, pass out fun items that help children stand out to motorists, such as reflective arm bands, tape, or glow sticks. If you’re guiding a group of ghouls around the neighborhood, bring some light-up gear with you.
3. Put your phone away
You can’t foresee every potential accident. Likewise, you can’t guarantee a moment of safety long enough to check your texts. Whether walking or driving, keep your eyes on your surroundings and your kids.
4. Beware of…your candy bag
Never accept candy that is not factory-packaged or appears to have been tampered with. Likewise, be wary of baked goods and other such items from strangers. Keep an eye out for torn packaging, loose wrappers, or anything in a baggie.
Even if you don’t have kids, you can keep others safe by driving more mindfully:
1. Actively look for children on the road.
Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a vehicle on Halloween. Anticipate accidents before they happen by slowing down through neighborhoods and keeping a close eye on pedestrians.
2. Turn your headlights on earlier than normal.
Visibility is important both ways – vehicles need to be visible to pedestrians too. If you have manual headlights, consider turning them on earlier than normal as an extra precaution.
3. Beat the Trick-or-Treat: avoid high-traffic travel times
The most popular time range for trick-or-treating is 5:30-9:30pm. If possible, avoid driving through neighborhoods during these times.
Nothing is scarier than injury to a loved one, but some small precautions, though basic, can make an incredible difference. That’s the sweetest treat of all!
BEST Transportation, St. Louis County & Yellow Cab, and GO BEST Express comprise a family of companies that is committed to providing above-industry-standard transportation solutions for every need. It’s more than just point “A” to point “B” service. It’s about the experience.
