Halloween is a fun-filled holiday for kids and adults alike, but it suffers from an unfortunate stigma. You’ve probably heard about how dangerous it can be to take candy from strangers, and how the past is filled with incidents of tainted treats being given to unsuspecting children. Fortunately, according to fact-checking website Snopes.com, these urban legends are just that.
While the odds are overwhelmingly against a child finding a razor blade in a candy apple, or poison in a pixie stick, there is a significant danger to children on Halloween. The chances of a child being struck by a moving vehicle quadruple on October 31st, and deaths or injuries due to fires see an increase from October 30th to November 1st.
The good thing is that most of these tragedies can be avoided if adults enact a bit of extra vigilance and take a few precautions during the holiday. Here are a few Halloween safety tips from Couponchief.com that will help keep your kids safe:
- Remember to use a crosswalk, or if none are present, cross at street corners. 70% of pedestrian accidents on Halloween occur outside a crosswalk or crossing intersection. By simply crossing at the proper places, you reduce the likelihood of being hit considerably.
- Keep your phone in your pocket. Sure, it’s far more fun for children to go door-to-door on Halloween than it is for the people accompanying them. However, don’t let boredom allow you to get distracted. Facebook and test messaging can be an alluring activity while you’re out in the neighborhood, but remember that you’re there for a reason. Keep an eye on the streets instead of on your smartphone.
- If you’re heading out with a large group of kids, use the buddy system. The more children there are to keep track of, the easier it is for one to slip through the cracks. Check periodically to make sure each kid has their buddy with them to make managing groups easier.
- Walk, and make sure your kids are walking, too. If the kids are darting too and fro, it’s easy for one of them to end up in the street where a car may not have time to stop.
- Last but not least, for those who will be on the road during Halloween, drive slow and be careful! There will be a lot of kids running around wearing dark clothes, and as the sun goes down it will be increasingly difficult to see what’s going on around you. If you’re driving through a residential area, take extra care and scan the sidewalks as you drive.
These are just a few of the many tips available that will help you and your family enjoy a safe Halloween. From all of us at Santa Clarita Bail Bonds to you, have a safe and happy Halloween!
