Halloween Safety Tips from Sioux Falls Fire Rescue

Oct 30, 2018

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue would like to share some important safety tips to keep in mind this Halloween to help keep children safe.

Kids’ Safety Tips

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right, and left again when crossing the street. Keep looking as you cross.
• Don’t dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks. If the neighborhood has no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far left as possible.
• Always choose well-lit streets.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up out of driveways.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Always walk and don’t run from house to house.
• Enter homes only if you are with a trusted adult.
• Never accept rides from a stranger.

Parents’ Safety Tips

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs, and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame-resistant.
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.
• Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Home Safety Tips

• Remove from the porch and front yard anything that a child could trip over, such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations.
• Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

Drivers’ Safety Tips

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, in medians, and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic, and turn your headlights on earlier in the evening to spot children from greater distances and to help them to notice your vehicle.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!