Did you know that Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for children who are pedestrians? On this day, more than twice as many children are killed in pedestrian car crashes between the hours of 4 and 10 PM than on any other day throughout the year at the same time? Drivers between the ages of 15-25 accounted for nearly one-third of all fatal crashes involving child pedestrians on Halloween.  (National Highway Safety Administration). 

I am one of the few people I know who loved Halloween more than Christmas when it came to children. When I wanted to take my 3 year old grandson, Michael, trick or treating for the first time, his mother was extremely reluctant because she said he would be scared and unwilling to approach the houses. Little did she know! He not only ran to the door when he realized candy was the reward, but nothing, and I mean nothing, deterred him, including barking dogs and a gang of tough looking older children running around the neighborhood with scary costumes. I had a hard time holding onto him, but I did because I knew from first-hand experience the lifesaving benefits of holding on tight.  

It is a wonderful time of year and we want you and your family to enjoy it, safely.  Below are a few tips for those who will be pedestrians and drivers:  
  • Wear bright clothes. If your costume is dark, carry lighted lanterns, and load up every visible part of your anatomy with reflectors.  Put them on your shoes too. 
  • Hold onto your child’s hand. They get excited and want to run across the street if they see their friends or a decorated house.  Hang onto them for dear life.