Lexington has changed the official trick or treat date to TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30. This is due to a severe weather forecast for Wednesday, October 31. The time for trick or treating remains from 6-8pm.
Kids love the magic of Halloween: Trick-or-treating, classroom parties and trips to a neighborhood haunted house.
But for moms and dads, often there is a fine line between Halloween fun and safety concerns, especially when it comes to road and pedestrian safety.
In 2015, about 6,700 pedestrian deaths and 160,000 medically consulted injuries occurred among pedestrians in motor vehicle incidents, according to Injury Facts 2017, the statistical report on unintentional injuries created by the National Safety Council.
NSC research reveals about 17% of these deaths occurred when pedestrians improperly crossed roads or intersections. Lack of visibility because of low lighting or dark clothing accounted for about 15% of the deaths. Other circumstances varied by age: Darting or running into the road accounted for about 15% of deaths in kids ages 5 to 9 and 7% for those 10 to 15.
Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year, and October ranks No. 2 in motor vehicle deaths by month, with 3,550. August is first, with 3,642 deaths.
In Lexington, the official day and time for Trick or Treating is Wednesday, October 31 from 6-8pm.
Follow These Ghoulishly Good Practices
Before you head out to trick or treat:
- Make sure that all costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant.
- Avoid masks, which can obstruct vision. Choose face paint and make-up when possible.
- If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks.
- When buying Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and always test it in a small area first.
When you head out on the trick or treat trail:
- A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
- Carry flashlights or glowsticks so you can see where you’re going and be seen.
- Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
- If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you.
- Agree on specific time children should return home.
- Teach your children to never enter a stranger’s home or car.
- Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Make eye contact with drivers at intersections.
- Remember to look left, right and left again before you cross.
When you get home:
- Check all treats for signs of tampering or contamination. “When in doubt, throw it out!”
- Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street. NSC offers these additional safety tips for parents – and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours:
Safety Tips for Motorists
- Make sure that everyone in your car is buckled up for safety.
- Drive a little slower in neighborhoods.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
- Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.
- Make eye contact with walkers before you proceed through an intersection.
- Enter and exit intersections, driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Eliminate any distractions in your car when you head out.
- Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone:
- Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. For guests, offer a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
- Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could cause someone to fall.
- Keep candle-lit jack o’lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and ever leave them unattended.
- Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.
Here’s more information on Halloween Safety from SAFEKIDS Worldwide.
Information Courtesy:
National Safety Council
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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