This Halloween, be safe when trick-or-treating by keeping an eye out for cars

The scariest things lurking around the corner on Halloween aren’t monsters or ghosts.

According to the doctors, it’s the cars. Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians, especially children.

“There’s a lot of attention on the risks of candy, which might be a little misplaced,” said Britney Lombard, injury prevention manager at Children’s Hospital Colorado. But one thing experts are sure about, he said, is an increase in child pedestrian deaths on Halloween.

“There are many things they can do to mitigate those risks,” he said.

Here are some tips to ensure Halloween is safe and fun for everyone, from cars to costumes.

walk defensively

An easy way to keep yourself and your children out of harm’s way on Halloween is to be aware of your surroundings, Lombard said.

This applies to drivers and pedestrians.

“We see a lot of distracted drivers who are talking on their phone, and we see a lot of distracted pedestrians who may have headphones on or have their phone on,” he said.

Children under 12 should generally be with adults when trick-or-treating. Older children who go out alone should know the rules of the road and practice being responsible pedestrians, he said. That includes staying away from phones, making eye contact with drivers before crossing the street, and using crosswalks and sidewalks.

Lombard also urged people to drive within the speed limit, not drink while driving and pay close attention to the road, especially at night.

“There will be a lot of children outside when it gets dark and visibility will be limited,” he said.

Backing out of driveways can be particularly dangerous on Halloween when children are racing from house to house. Lombard recommends rolling down the window to listen to children, as well as checking them in all mirrors and backing up slowly.

Costume tips

Costumes can be fun and creative, but experts say they should also be safe.

Make sure costumes fit well and avoid tripping hazards, such as capes or bulky outfits that are not safe for car seats.

If your child’s costume includes a mask, make sure it fits well and that he or she can see with it on. When in doubt, Lombard recommended, opt for face paint.

Wearing bright, reflective costumes is also a good idea; try adding glow sticks or reflective tape.

Also consider nonflammable costumes, said Dr. Nicholas Algu, a pediatrician at Ochsner Health in Louisiana. On the other hand, if you decorate outside for Halloween, avoid long ropes and open fires, just in case.

“A lot of kids are walking around and there will be flames and candles and things like that,” he said. “It’s very easy to have an accident.”

Safely Carve Pumpkins

Jack o’lanterns are practically synonymous with Halloween, but carving them can be dangerous.

To avoid accidents, Algu said to make sure the pumpkin is completely dry, use a marker to draw cutouts beforehand and leave the carving to the adults.

“Instead, you can have the kids pick pumpkin seeds,” she said. “That way, they feel like they’re helping and doing a lot of things, but it’s safer for them.”

You can also forgo carving altogether and place things on the pumpkin to give it some personality.

Be careful with sweets and strangers.

Sure, there are myths about manipulated candy hurting people on Halloween.

But most importantly, Algu said, parents should consider telling their children to avoid eating their stash until they get home in case of any emergency, such as sticky, sticky or chunky candy that could cause young children to drown

And while the call of candy may be strong, Halloween is not the night to explore new parts of town.

Algu recommends avoiding entering the interior of homes, and sticking to houses with lights on and known places.

Even in familiar neighborhoods, you’re likely to meet strangers; That’s why it’s important to stay with your group, he said, and use common sense to avoid difficult situations.