Ghouls just want to have fun

The start of October signals the season when children transform into pirates and princesses, werewolves and witches, aliens and athletes, and everything in between. Jessica Winberry, prevention coordinator for Safe Kids Northeast Florida, which is led by THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, provided some tips to make sure your trick-or-treaters have a hauntingly happy – and safe – Halloween.

“This is such an exciting and fun time of year, but we want to make sure every child who goes trick-or-treating comes home safe,” she said. “It’s especially important because, according to Safe Kids, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year.”

Be seen on Halloween

Though your child likely has their heart set on a specific costume, Winberry said simple additions or choices can boost visibility and overall safety:

• Add reflective tape that shines against headlights to costumes or candy bags.
• Choose face paint or makeup instead of masks, which can block a child’s vision.
• Give your child glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen.
• Ensure the costume fits your child properly to prevent trips and falls.

“We recommend all children under 12 be accompanied by an adult when they go out trick-or-treating,” Winberry said. “If kids are mature enough to be without supervision, make sure they know to stay in a group and stick to familiar, well-lit areas.”

Street safety: 'Witch' way to cross

Parents who are heading out with children should follow the same advice they give to older kids who are trick-or-treating on their own:

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks when available.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing the street. Continue to check both ways until you get to the other side.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of a car.
• Stick to sidewalks and designated paths. If there are none, walk in the direction of traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
• Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Be aware behind the wheel

With so many kids on the streets, it’s critical that drivers be aware of their surroundings and take extra measures to watch out for little ones:

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
• Expect kids to move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians or on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly.
• Lower the music and put away your phone so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to help you spot children from farther away.
• Be especially alert between 5:30 and 9:30 pm, which are peak trick-or-treating hours.

“Kids look forward to Halloween all year, and we want to make sure they’re able to have fun!” Winberry said. “These are just some simple steps we all can take to make sure everyone stays happy and healthy.”

For more child safety tips from Safe Kids Northeast Florida, which is led by THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, visit wolfsonchildrens.com/safekids or call 904.202.4302.