How can we help you?

Haunted houses, spooky stories, costumes, and candy…

Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year for adults and children alike, but it also can be one of the most dangerous. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Fortunately, there are things parents and kids can do to stay safe while trick-or-treating. Safe Kids offers the following safety tips:

Costumes for a Safe Halloween
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
• For greater visibility, decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers.
• Choose non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible to ensure kids can see because full-face Halloween masks can obstruct a child’s vision.

Safe Walking
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Put electronic devices down, keep head up, and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars and be especially careful around driveways and alleys.
• Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, tell them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit, stay on sidewalks if available, and trick-or-treat in small groups.

Safe Driving
• 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.
• Slow down in residential neighborhoods. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

Trinity Health is proud to serve as the lead agency for Safe Kids Minot. To learn more, donate, or volunteer, call Amber Emerson, RN, Safe Kids Minot Coordinator, at 701-857-7300, or follow Safe Kids Minot on Facebook: @safekidsminot

Safe Kids Minot has lighted reflectors, high visibility zipper pulls, and slap bracelets for giveaway to keep your trick-or-treaters extra safe this Halloween. Please contact Amber if you are interested.