Trick-or-treating on Halloween is a lot of fun and a great opportunity for parents and children to explore their community and interact with their neighbors. Night-time conditions, distractions, and dark costumes can lead to lower visibility and safety concerns. To help keep you and your trick-or-treaters safe, here are some tips to follow while out trick-or-treating:

  • Wear bright, reflective clothing and choose costumes that don’t obstruct the ability to see or that create a tripping hazard, such as costume masks, large hoods, and long capes and skirts.
  • Use a flashlight and attach reflective materials to clothing and items you carry to make yourself more visible.
  • When walking, watch for cars at every driveway and intersection. Don’t ever assume a driver sees you or your child.
  • Drivers: slow down, obey speed limits, avoid distractions like talking or texting on your phone, and take extra time to look for children at intersections, on medians, and on curbs. When it’s dusk or dark, you need more time to see people walking or bicycling along the road and crossing the street. Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
  • Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween. Stay sober.
  • As always, if you are not feeling well, stay home!

Ensure Halloween is safe and fun for everyone by serving as a role model to children in your community by practicing safe pedestrian behavior and following the above tips.

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!