Halloween safety tips

Halloween can be a scary time for child pedestrian accidents. Whether you’re going door-to-door, driving or passing out treats at home, consider these Halloween safety tips. In addition to helping protect children from accidents, remind kids of stranger danger on Halloween, plan for your own festivities, and decorate safely.

Safety tips for trick or treating

• Always accompany young children.
• Exercise great caution during the "scariest" hours: between 5 and 9 p.m. Studies show that the hour between 6 and 7 p.m. is especially dangerous for pedestrian accidents.
• Stick to neighborhoods with sidewalks. If you must walk on the street, keep to the far left, facing traffic.
• Practice safe crossing procedures. Use crosswalks and look both ways before crossing at street corners.
• Stick reflective tape onto costumes to make your child more visible. Also, have your child carry a flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Select well-fitting costumes. Make sure costumes and shoes are the correct size to prevent tripping. If possible, use face paint and leave the mask at home since masks can obstruct vision.
• Monitor older children trick or treating. If older children venture out without supervision, ask that they go as a group, discuss the route and agree on a curfew. Give older kids cell phones and see that they are completely charged so they can stay in touch.
• Teach children to visit only well-lit homes, avoid dark streets and not enter homes that aren't their own.
• Children should be fever free and not show signs of illness.
• Examine children’s candy bags before they dig in. The FDA recommends examining candy for any tears in wrapping, holes or discoloration.
• Don’t allow children to eat homemade treats from people they don’t know.

Halloween driving safety tips

• Be alert for children and eliminate in-car distractions, including your cell phone.
• Drive slowly.
• To help see children in the distance, make sure to turn your headlights on early.
• Practice extra caution at intersections and corners.
• Pull in and out of driveways carefully.
• Discuss these tips and other driving pointers with your teen driver.
• If festivities involve alcohol, remember to select a designated driver or have a taxi or rideshare service ready to go.
• If you encounter an impaired driver, remember to report the driver to authorities.

Halloween decorating safety tips

• Keep your home brightly lit indoors and outside. Check the lighting for your front entryway or porch and replace any damaged bulbs that may have burned out.
• Remove or highlight potential tripping hazards such as electrical cords. Clear debris and other obstacles from your lawn, sidewalks and steps.
• Avoid open flames. Opt for battery-operated candles in jack-o'-lanterns or other areas where costumed trick-or-treaters might stand.
• Check that the extension cords you use outside are rated for outdoor use. Also, don't overload extension cords. Your cord should be the correct amps for what you're plugging into it.
• Keep pets kenneled or in another room, away from trick or treaters.
• While your homeowners insurance policy provides some liability coverage, it’s a good idea to talk to your State Farm® agent to help make sure your coverage meets your needs.

With proper planning, you can aim to drive safe on Halloween, decorate your home with security in mind, and hopefully have a nice trick or treating experience. Consider how these tips might help you, and your child, have a safe and fun Halloween.