Halloween Safety Reminders
Tour commander, 509.625.7100
Monday, October 28, 2019 at 9:49 a.m.
As families with little ghosts and goblins prepare to take to the community's streets on Halloween, SFD offers these reminders for a safe celebration:
Safe walking
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Put down electronic devices, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
- Use sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- Watch for cars turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Safe driving
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Take the extra time to look for children at intersections, on medians and curbs.
- Watch out for children who might be trying to cross mid-block.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Keep phones down, so you aren’t distracted.
- Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
Safe costumes
- Have children carry a glow stick or flashlight to help them see and be seen by drivers.
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape and stickers. Choose light colors as possible.
- Masks can obstruct a child’s vision. Choose non-toxic face paint and makeup instead.
Safe decorations
- Use battery-operated candles or glow sticks in jack-o-lanterns.
- Keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks fire escape routes.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.
Safe Kids Worldwide has more information about Halloween safety online: www.safekids.org/halloween
