trick-or-treaters

Safety Tips For Trick Or Treaters!

Posted on Wednesday, October 30th, 2013 at 2:53 pm.

Halloween is a fun time of year, but it can also be dangerous for trick or treaters if the proper safety precautions aren’t taken. When you go out with your little monsters, keep these tips in mind, and stay safe this Halloween!

Make sure any children under age 13 are accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult.
Respect trick or treating hours established by your town. If your children are trick or treating on their own establish a curfew.
Go over the route you and your trick or treaters plan on taking, make sure they know exactly where they’re going and how to get home.
Establish a meeting spot should you and your trick or treaters get separated.
Be visible. It’s getting dark out very early and it will be difficult for drivers to see children in costumes, add reflective tape to their costume and treat buckets to make them easier to see.
Carrying a flashlight is also a good idea to improve visibility, but be sure to never shine it in the eyes of oncoming drivers, it may temporarily blind them.
Avoid wearing masks that obstruct vision. It’s already going to be dark out and you don’t want children struggling to see oncoming cars, other trick or treaters, or obstructions in their path.
Make sure children’s costumes are not too long on them to prevent tripping.
Make sure any swords, knives, or other costume accessories are shot, soft, and flexible.
Do not allow children to walk near any candles or other potential fire hazards, make sure their costumes are flame-resistant.
Only approach houses that are well lit, tell children not to approach houses that are in darkness or to enter a strangers home or garage.
Stay on any sidewalks or paths, if there are none then walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
Make sure children understand to use crosswalks, look both ways before crossing the street, and never cross between parked vehicles as it’s difficult for drivers to see you.
If children are going out without an adult, make sure you know where they’re going and that they’ll be in a group.
Don’t let children eat any candy until they’re home and you’ve checked it to be sure it’s safe.

Keep these tips in mind this Halloween and you and your family will have a safe, and happy holiday!

Photo By: Ginny

Halloween Safety Tips For Drivers

Posted on Thursday, October 24th, 2013 at 12:11 pm.

Written by Emma Brooks

Are you as excited for Halloween as we are? It’ll be here before we know it and the streets will be filled with witches, goblins, and ghouls! Drivers have a responsibility to remain extra alert so that these little monsters stay safe. These tips are great reminders for all drivers to keep in mind this Halloween.

Make Sure Your Lights Work – On Halloween night, visibility is key. There will be tons of children on the streets in dark costumes which will be hard enough to see even with working headlights. Before you leave your driveway, test all lights and turn signals to ensure that they are working properly.

Remain Alert – This goes without saying any time you’re on the road, but it important to be extra vigilant on Halloween night when the streets are filled with young children who may not understand all of the rules of the road.

Drive Slowly – On Halloween night children will be running from house to house in dark costumes and masks that limit their visibility. This makes it harder for drivers to see them and for them to see oncoming cars, so be sure to drive slower than usual should any trick-or-treaters unexpectedly run out in front of you. Be especially careful around parked vehicles, not only could children be standing near them waiting to cross, but they may also be letting children out of them. You should also drive under the posted speed limit, as there will be more pedestrians out than usual and some may be harder to see than others.

Avoid Distractions – With parents, trick-or-treaters, flashlights, and decorations, there are already enough distractions on the road, avoid any additional ones by putting down your phone, turning off the radio, and limiting the amount of passengers in your vehicle.

Yield to Pedestrians – This is a give in, whether they’re at a cross walk or not, pedestrians always have the right of way and on Halloween night there might be some (especially the young ones) that are more excited than usual and may not utilize caution when crossing the street for their next candy stop. If you see children attempting to cross the street, don’t assume that they see your vehicle, make sure you come to a complete stop and give them plenty of time to cross the street.

Utilize Turn Signals – It’s important to communicate with other drivers so that they know what you’re doing. If you’re going to pull over to make a quick candy stop, make sure you put on your turn signal and use the hazard lights when children are exiting the vehicle.

Avoid Wearing A Costume – If you’re driving and are going to a costume party or are getting dressed up for some reason, wait until you arrive at your destination before you put on any masks or wigs. These can limit visibility should they slip out of place which can cause a serious hazard to yourself and others.

Use A Designated Driver – If you’re going to a party where alcohol will be served, always remember to use a designated driver, drunk driving is never an option and endangers yourself and anyone else on the road near you.

We want everyone to have a safe, and fun Halloween, it only takes a moment for the night to turn into a nightmare, so keep these tips in mind and share them with the other drivers in your life.

Photo By: OakleyOriginals