Did you know that child pedestrian injuries are more likely on Halloween than on any other night of the year?
- Always go with young children on their neighborhood rounds. If trick-or-treating doesn't start until after dark where you live, consider checking with your town or park district for Halloween activities offered earlier in the day. Earlier festivities help you stick to your child's regular bedtime.
- Encourage older children to trick-or-treat in a group. Review their plan and route. Agree on a specific time when they should return home and encourage everyone to use a flashlight after dark.
- Talk with kids about the risk of distracted walking. This includes text messaging, talking on or looking at their cell phone and listening to music.
- Cross the street as a group in a crosswalk, when available. Avoid mid-block crossings, where child pedestrian injuries are much more common. Make sure kids know not to cross the street between parked cars or out of driveways or alleys.
- Don't assume cars will stop just because pedestrians have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.
- Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. Only go to homes with a porch light on and, ideally, a well-lit pathway.
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