From haunting music to creepy décor—it’s designed to be one of the scariest nights of the year. But health experts say if children aren’t careful, a night of fun can quickly become a night of terror. “Halloween is the most dangerous night for our kids in our community because many cars are out driving, but our kids are out trick-or-treating going house to house,” said Sally Kreuscher, a child advocacy program coordinator with Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
Drivers need to be mindful, especially as it gets dark. “Unfortunately, many drivers out there aren’t keeping an extra eye out for kids when they are trick-or-treating. We want drivers to be extra cautious. Keep an eye out for kids. Go extra slow,” said Kreuscher.
A safe alternative to trick-or-treating is a trunk or treating. “You want to make sure that kids go in a group if they are older, but parents should really go trick-or-treating with their children and of course inspect the candy,” she said.
It’s also important to make sure kids are in safe costumes. “One way to keep kids safe is to make sure their costumes don’t have holes in them, that they don’t trip,” said Kreuscher.
Instead of a mask which can be challenging to see out of—health experts recommend using face paint. This way kids can see clearly when crossing the street. “If kids want to be in dark clothing, you can think about ways to make them bright, such as flashlights or having them wear reflective materials added to their costumes,” she said.
Just a few tips to keep children safe on Halloween—and out of the hospital.