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Tricks and Tips on How to Stay Safe this Halloween

   
Written by Laila Elias, M.D./M.P.H. candidate
with Julie Belkowitz, M.D., M.P.H., Lyse Deus, and Oneith Cadiz, M.D.
It’s finally the time of year where costumes, candy, and creepy decorations are everywhere.

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For many kids, Halloween is one of the best nights of the year – getting to dress up as their favorite character, go trick-or-treating with friends, and eat some of their favorite sweets! While spooky season is an exciting time for everyone, what’s really spooky is that children are more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween night than any other day of the year1.
Luckily, there are ways to make sure that you and your kids stay safe this Halloween:

Tips to prevent motor-vehicle injuries if you’re walking

  • If children are out after dark, add reflective tape to their costumes and bags, and give them glow sticks or flashlights to make them more visible.
  • Use crosswalks, and look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Always walk on sidewalks or paths.
  • Travel in familiar and well-lit areas.
  • A responsible adult should accompany younger children at all times.
  • Make sure your child’s costume is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose non-toxic Halloween makeup over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan a route together that is acceptable to you.

Tips to prevent motor-vehicle injuries if you’re driving

  • Keep your phone away while driving, a single distraction could end in a tragedy!
  • Slow down and be extra alert when driving in residential areas.
  • Pull out and into driveways slowly and cautiously.
  • Make sure your headlights are on.

Tips to prevent motor-vehicle injuries if using a golf cart

It is important to know that golf carts are not designed for the safe transportation of children. For those that choose to transport children in golf carts, keep the following in mind:
  • Florida law now requires that children have a learner’s permit or driver’s license to operate a golf cart on public roads. 
  • If you or your child does drive a golf cart, ensure that all passengers know how to use the safety features that the cart does have including lap seatbelts and handgrip bars.
  • Children should sit with their backs pressed up against the seat and ensure the hip restraint is snug in their lap.
  • Riders should place both feet on the floor and hold on to the handgrips nearest to them to prevent a fall or ejection from the cart, especially during turns or when riding on slopes or uneven ground.

Additional tips for general Halloween safety

  • Make sure all costume materials are fire-resistant.
  • If buying Halloween makeup, test it in a small area on the arm or back first for irritation.
  • Ask kids to wait to eat any candy until they’re home, just in case of any allergies.
Practicing these recommendations is the best approach to protect your child during Halloween.
For more information about Halloween Safety, visit www.healthychildren.org You can also contact the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, a program of the Children’s Trust, at 305-243-9080  or online at www.injuryfreemiami.org

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Citations

  1. Pedestrian Fatalities Associated With Halloween in the United State. Read more
  2. Halloween Health & Safety Tips. Read more
 

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