AAA's Halloween Safety Tips for Caregivers, Trick-or-Treaters and Motorists

Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year for child pedestrians. Excited trick-or-treaters often forget about safety so motorists and parents must be even more alert. Check out AAA’s Halloween tips below to ensure a fun and safe holiday for everyone.  

 

For Parents/Guardians:

• For younger kids, pin a piece of paper with your child’s name, address and phone number inside your child’s pocket in case you get separated. 
• Plan and discuss the route your trick-or-treaters will follow; instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along established routes.
• Teach children to stop only well-lit houses and to never enter a stranger’s home or garage.
• Instruct children to not eat any candy until they get home.
• Make sure Halloween costumes are flame-retardant, visible with reflective material and will not obstruct vision or movement.  Ensure any props are flexible and blunt-tipped.

 

For Trick-or-Treaters:

• Carry a flashlight containing fresh batteries, and place it face down in the treat bucket to free up one hand.  Never shine it into the eyes of oncoming drivers.
• Always stay on sidewalks and avoid walking in streets; if there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic. Remember to look both ways before crossing!
• Stay with a group of people and don’t wander off on your own.
• Tell your parents/guardians where you are going and make sure to get home by a pre-established time. 

 

For Motorists:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals. Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to children who may dart into the street. 
• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.  In dark costumes, they’ll be harder to see at night. 
• Look for children crossing the street. They may not be paying attention to traffic and cross the street mid-block or between parked cars. 
• Broaden your scanning by looking for children left and right into yards and front porches. 

 

AAA is an advocate for the safety and security of all road users. To teach even more safety lessons to young ones, check out the AAA School Safety Lesson Plan on our website at AAA.com/SchoolSafety.