CDC Recommendations for Safe Trick-or-Treating
As with everything this year, Halloween may look a little different. There may be fewer trick-or-treaters out and about. Then again, the holiday falls on a Saturday this year, and since this outdoor activity can be safely modified, be sure to have those bags of candy ready just in case!
Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control on how to safely participate in Halloween activities in the context of the ongoing pandemic:
For trick-or-treaters:
- Avoid close or direct contact with other trick-or-treaters.
- Use a cloth mask as part of your costume – a costume mask is not sufficient.
- Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol and apply it after handling objects.
- When you get home, wash your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds before you eat any of your treats.
For those handing out treats:
- Wash your hands before handing out candy.
- If possible, greet trick-or-treaters outdoors.
- Better yet, set up a table with individually packaged treats for kids to help themselves.
Watch the YouTube video from U.C. Davis Health on pandemic-related Halloween safety tips.
Traffic Safety Tips for Halloween
COVID-19 is not the only potential Halloween hazard. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Halloween evening is consistently in the top three days each year in which the most pedestrian injuries and fatalities happen. The CDC estimates that kids are four times more likely to be hit by a motor vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Because of their excitement, trick-or-treaters can forget about safety, so parents and motorists must be more alert than usual.
Here are some traffic safety tips for helping to keep children safe on Halloween:
Tips for Motorists
- Reduce speed in residential neighborhoods to at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit. This will allow extra reaction time if a child darts into the street.
- Watch for kids walking in the road and on medians and curbs. Costumes may make it harder to see them in the darkness.
- Be especially careful to look out for children crossing the street. They may cross in the middle of the block or dart out from between parked cars.
- Use extra caution while entering and exiting driveways and alleys.
- Turn your headlights on early in the evening to make your vehicle more visible to pedestrians.
Tips for Parents and Guardians
- Make sure that an adult or responsible teen will accompany and supervise kids under 12 years old.
- Be aware of the route your trick-or-treaters will follow – plan it out beforehand.
- Ensure that they stick with familiar areas and established routes.
- Establish a time limit for trick-or-treating and time in which kids must be home.
- Tell your children to wait until they are home to eat any treats.
Tips for Trick-or-Treaters
- Make sure costumes are visible in the dark – use reflective materials or tape so motorists can see you.
- Do not wear a costume or mask that obscures vision. Face paint + a cloth or medical face mask is a better idea this year.
- Watch out for long costumes that may cause a tripping hazard.
- Be careful with costume props. Make sure they are soft and blunt-tipped.
- Carry a flashlight or light stick, but do not shine them into motorists’ eyes.
- Walk on sidewalks. If you have to cross the street, do so at a corner or in a crosswalk after checking both ways.
- Trick-or-treat in a small group, maintaining social distance if non-household members are present.
- Only go to houses that are lit up and appear to be participating in the holiday. Never enter a stranger’s home.
- Bring a phone and keep in contact with your parents.
Happy Halloween!
We hope that whatever you decide to do this year, you have a safe and fun Halloween with lots of full-sized candy bars.
Roseville Personal Injury Lawyer
Thank you for stopping by the AutoAccident.com legal blog. I’m Ed Smith. I have been a personal injury lawyer in Roseville, California, for nearly 40 years. It has been my life’s work to advocate on behalf of injured Northern Californias. If you have been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another, I would be happy to offer free and friendly legal advice. Give my office a call at (916) 921-6400 or use our toll-free line at (800) 404-5400. We also have an online contact option.
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