Be smart, be safe on Halloween

Photo By Senior Airman Rebecca Van Syoc | The major dangers during Halloween are not in fact due to goblins and ghosts, but rather from falls and various pedestrian accidents. Young children are more likely to receive injuries on Halloween evening due to ill-fitting costumes causing falls or a lack of caution causing motor vehicle accidents. Many Halloween related injuries can be prevented if parents closely supervise school-aged children during trick-or-treat activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rebecca Van Syoc)  

TX, UNITED STATES

10.30.2018

Story by Senior Airman Rebecca Van Syoc 

7th Bomb Wing

Trick-or-treating within the Dyess Air Force Base housing community will take place on Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and there are several tips to keep in mind to ensure everyone has a very spooky (but safe) Halloween night.

The major dangers during Halloween are not in fact due to goblins and ghosts, but rather from falls and various pedestrian accidents. Young children are more likely to receive an injury on Halloween evening due to ill-fitting costumes causing falls or a lack of caution causing motor vehicle accidents. Many related injuries on this day can be prevented if parents closely supervise school-aged children during trick-or-treat activities.

According to the National Safety Council, some tips that pedestrians need to know are:

- An adult should accompany young children while they are trick-or-treating.
- If older children are going alone, families should plan and review a route so parents know where they are.
- Parents should agree on a specific time children should return home.
- Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
- Ensure children know not to eat any treats until they return home.
- Children and adults are reminded to stay alert and walk, don't run, across the street.
- Pedestrians are not the only ones charged with being cautious. According to - Safe Kids Worldwide, motorists should be extra-careful on Halloween night, especially after dark. Some other tips include:

- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
- Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, medians and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly.
- Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
- Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

There may be ghosts, goblins, witches and scares aplenty on Halloween night, but injuries and other challenges shouldn’t be one of them.

• Date Taken: 10.30.2018
• Date Posted: 11.02.2018 17:53
• Story ID: 298271
• Location: TX, US