As the spookiest day of the year approaches, there are precautions area residents can take.
Halloween consistently has the highest pedestrian fatalities among children due to low light conditions, large numbers of people walking outdoors and costumed trick-or-treaters, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Children excited on Halloween may forget safety rules, so drivers are encouraged to be extra cautious when moving through streets after dark. Less experienced teen drivers should also be discouraged from driving on Halloween night, according to a news release from the Hamilton County Health Department.
Home fires caused by decorations are also a frequent occurrence, with an annual average of 770 between 2014 and 2019, according to the National Fire Protection Association. More than 44% of those fires occurred because decorations were too close to a heat source like a candle or hot equipment.
As trick-or-treaters and partygoers take to streets and homes for Halloween festivities this year, here are some ways to stay safe:
TRICK-OR-TREATERS
– Walk, do not run.
– Stay on a sidewalk if one is available and use crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk at the edge of the road, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street and cross only at the corner.
– Consider bright and reflective costumes to increase visibility. Also plan to add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
– Choose non-toxic makeup over masks. Masks can obscure vision and may lead to trips or falls. Before applying makeup, test it in a small area on the arm of the person wearing it to see if any irritation occurs. If your child has a mask, ensure the eye holes are large enough for them to see clearly.
– Choose well-fitted flame-resistant costumes and wigs. Make sure costume choices are labeled “flame resistant,” are well-fitting and short enough to prevent tripping or contact with flame. If you are making your own costume, avoid loosely woven fabrics like linen and cotton, which can be very flammable.
– Have children carry flashlights or glow sticks. In addition to reflective costumes, increasing visibility with flashlights or glow sticks is critical when walking in low-light conditions.
– Make sure children under the age of 12 are joined by at least one responsible adult while trick or treating.
– Instruct older children to travel in familiar, well-lit areas and to stay with their friends. Create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely and prevent walking alone. For older children trick or treating without an adult, plan and establish a route then agree on a specific time for them to return home.
– Remind children to never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
– Put electronic devices away. Adults and children should keep their heads up to avoid distractions while trick or treating.
– Only visit homes that have a porch light on. Only accept treats at the door.
– Check all candy before consumption. Remove loose candy, open packages and remove any choking hazards. Discard any items with brand names you are not familiar with.
– Be cautious around animals.
DRIVERS
– Slow down, especially around driveways and alleyways, and scan areas for children.
– Stay alert for pedestrians who may come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop and wait for them to pass.
– Be extra cautious, especially during the popular trick-or-treating hours of 5:30-9:30 p.m.
– Don’t look at your phone when you’re driving. Keep your attention on the road.
– Teenage and less-experienced drivers should avoid driving on Halloween night.
– If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact law enforcement.
PARTY HOSTS
– Serve plenty of food and provide non-alcoholic beverage options.
– Collect car keys from guests who are drinking alcohol.
– Prepare to call taxis, ride-hailing services, provide sleeping accommodations, or — if you’re sober — drive guests home yourself.
– Remember that social host liability laws may hold you responsible for parties where underage people drink, regardless of who furnishes the alcohol, and you could be held legally responsible for your guests’ behavior after they leave your party.
– If you’re expecting trick or treaters, light the area well so young visitors can see.
– Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps. Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over.
– Keep flammable decorations like cornstalks, crepe paper and dried flowers far away from any open flames or heat sources, like candles, heaters and light bulbs.
– If using candles as decorations, keep them in a well-attended area out of the path of potential trick-or-treaters. Remind children of the dangers of open flames, and make sure they are always supervised when candles are lit. Extinguish candles before leaving an area.
– Glow sticks or electric candles are the safest choice when it comes to lighting your jack-o’-lantern, but if you choose to use a real candle, do so with extreme caution. Light a candle inside a jack-o’-lantern using long fireplace matches or a utility lighter and keep it away from other decorations.
– Make sure your smoke alarms are functional and up to date.
– Keep home exits free from decorations. When decorating, ensure that nothing is blocking any escape routes.
Sources: Hamilton County Health Department, U.S. Department of Transportation, Chattanooga Police Department, American Red Cross, National Fire Protection Association.
– Compiled by Kimberly Sebring