Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is a big deal for families, especially when you have little kids who enjoy dressing up and trick-or-treating. It is also a night when there are lots of people outside in the dark, which means it is important take some precautions to keep yourself and your children safe. The Law Firm of Jennifer S. McDonald, LLC wants all of our clients and their children to have a fun and safe Halloween tomorrow!
Below are some of our tips to make sure everyone gets home safely.
Trick-or-Treating Safety
Young children should not be alone at night without adult supervision, it is best if a parents can accompany kids while they go from door to door. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
Tell your kids to cross the street at street corners and use crosswalks.
Always look both both ways when crossing the street and keep looking as you cross. Drivers may not be able to see you in the dark.
Put electronic devices down and keep your head up as you trick-or treat.
Make sure you tell your kids to walk, not run, across the street.
Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
Try to stay on the sidewalk. If you have to walk on the street, walk facing traffic and as far to the left as possible.
Keep your eyes out for cars that are turning or backing up.
Tell children to not to cross the street between parked cars.
Don't eat opened candy, and look at your child's candy before they eat it.
Costume Safety
Use face paint and makeup instead of masks if possible, as masks can make it hard to see cars and other dangers.
Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags so that cars will be able to see your children.
Light colored clothing and costumes will be easier to see in the dark
Kids love glow sticks. Giving your kids glow sticks and glow necklaces will make them easier to see.
Carry a flashlight.
Make sure costumes fit right, and are not too long to prevent tripping on dragging costumes.
It is going to be cold in Colorado this year. Make sure you dress in layers, and bring jackets with you trick-or-treating. Pay attention to your kids, and if they are getting too cold, tell them it is time to go home.
If it is snowing, have your children where their snow boots to prevent kids from slipping and falling. You should probably wear boots as well!
Driving Safety
Never drink and drive, especially on holidays. This is a night where children are outside in the dark. Please use extra caution on Halloween.
Drive slowly. Especially if you see any people walking around.
Make sure your are especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
Children may act unpredictably on Halloween as they are very excited, and have eaten a lot of sugar.
Take extra time at intersections and look for children on medians and curbs.
Be careful as you back up and pull out of driveways.
Do not text and drive on Halloween. Put your phone away so that you can pay attention to the road.
Turn on your headlights earlier in the day than normal to help spotting children from greater distances.
Children tend to trick-or-treat from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be extra alert during those hours.
If it is snowing and icy, drive slowly and give yourself plenty of distance to stop so that you do not slide and hit pedestrians.
The Law Firm of Jennifer S. McDonald, LLC cares about all of our families. Halloween and other holidays can be very difficult for divorcing families and families going through child custody battles. Please take care of yourself, spend time with friends and family, and make sure that you are making good choices to keep your children safe. Most of all, have a Happy Halloween.
If you have a family law issue that you need help with, give us a call today.
These safety tips are based on information from https://www.safekids.org/, check it out for more information.
