On a night when many children spend hours in close proximity to cars as they navigate through neighborhoods gathering candy, pedestrian safety should be a top priority for both drivers and parents. On average, twice as many children are killed while walking on Halloween compared to other days of the year.

This year, Halloween falls on the night the clocks are turned back, but kids will still be out while it is dark – making it harder for drivers to see them. This lack of visibility makes it important for drivers to slow down and watch out for trick-or-treaters, especially around crosswalks. Pedestrian safety is not just the responsibility of the driver. However, parents can do their part to help kids stay out of the emergency room on Halloween by emphasizing safe pedestrian behaviors before they go out trick-or-treating.

“The simple act of slowing down on neighborhood roads will not only make the tricks and treats of Halloween more enjoyable for everyone, but also it could save lives,” said Penny Shaw, Safe Kids coordinator. “Children younger than age 12 should not be alone crossing streets at night without an adult. If older kids are mature enough to go trick-or-treating without adult supervision, parents should make sure they go in a group and stick to a predetermined route with good lighting.”

Halloween is an exciting holiday for children, but they can be vulnerable to injury on this night. To ensure trick-or-treaters stay safe, Safe Kids recommends that children:

• Cross the street safely at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Slow down and stay alert – watch out for cars that are turning or backing up and never dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars.
• Costumes can be both creative and safe. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, so choose non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible instead. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as be seen by drivers.

Drivers need to do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm. FedEx reminds motorists to be extra careful this Halloween and recommends that drivers:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods and school zones. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush-hour period of 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Be especially alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Slowly and carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

While pedestrian safety is a main concern on Halloween, parents and kids should also be careful when dealing with candy.

“While kids never want to wait to dive into their candy, it is best to check sweets for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them,” Shaw said. “Remind children to only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers.”

In preparation for Halloween, Safe Kids Spartanburg will team up with volunteers from Walk This Way program sponsor FedEx to provide kids with reflective materials to promote visibility, including trick-or-treat bags and zipper tags that can be attached to costumes, as well as important safety information to children, parents, and drivers at a Fall Festival & Community trunk or treat event held at Southside Baptist Church in Spartanburg at 316 S. Church St. from 5 -7 p.m.

FedEx and Safe Kids Worldwide have been working together for 10 years to educate children, parents, teachers and motorists across the country about walking safely and preventing pedestrian-related injury to children.

For more tips on how to help kids become safer pedestrians on Halloween, as well as throughout the year, visit www.usa.safekids.org/wtw/halloween2009.html. You call also see Shaw on the “Your Carolina Show with Jack and Kimberly” on Friday, Oct. 30, sharing Halloween Safety tips for children and drivers.

About Safe Kids
Safe Kids Spartanburg works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. Safe Kids Spartanburg is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Spartanburg was founded in 1993 and is led by Spartanburg Regional.