Keep the Scares Fun This Month: How to Have A Safe Halloween
It may be spooky season, but it doesn’t have to be frightful. While putting up decorations and preparing for trick-or-treaters, remember to be more mindful of the choices you make. It goes beyond choosing a costume, which neighborhoods give the best candy, or which party to attend. Many parents tend to focus on and worry about the candy or the stranger aspect of Halloween. However, there is more to consider. This is the season when the sun sets earlier, wet leaves make the pavement slippery and hide potholes, more deer cross the roads, and more people are out after dark. Parties, homecomings, parades, scary movies, bonfires, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating are just a few of the things that happen this month alone. It can be a hectic schedule for many people, but a few precautions can help reduce ER trips. That’s why the North Jefferson County Ambulance District is happy to share tips so that everyone can have their fun with fewer jump scares.
Costume Considerations
Whether you’re an adult or a child, choosing a costume is part of the fun. Kids especially have their heart set on being one thing and look forward to wearing what they picked. No matter the age, a lot goes into choosing a costume. However, visibility, or lack of visibility, to be more precise, is usually forgotten when considering what to be. People rarely stop and ask themselves, “Can I see well in this?” When choosing something fun, cool, or unique, people often make that their main priority. Costumes with masks or big inflatables, for example, are indeed fun choices. Unfortunately, they can lead to injuries. Missteps and/or trips are especially common for children. These costumes make it hard to notice curbs, slippery grass, and similar hazards. Although slipping hazards exist regardless of costume choice, especially with the weather and piles of leaves on the ground. Plus, being out after dark means relying on streetlights, porch lights, headlights, flashlights, and such.
There are other ways to make a costume, regardless of selection, safer as well, including:
Add reflective tape to a costume
Wear or carry something with lights - flashlights, glowsticks, toys, shoes, etc.
Have a mask on a stick or easily slide on and off
Or wear face paint, as long as it’s safe and kept out of your eyes.
Wear comfortable shoes that can handle most, if not all, terrains
If you or someone is in an inflatable, have a walking partner for support
Be Safe and Alert on the Roads
Keep your eyes on the road, no matter how beautiful the fall foliage looks. You can admire them when you're not driving. However, don't forget that the leaves on the road are what you need to watch out for, not those still on the trees. Many people enjoy the sound of leaves crunching underfoot, but those same leaves can pose a serious risk on the road. Wet leaves, especially, can become slippery, reduce tire traction, and make it harder to brake or maintain control. Piles of leaves can also hide potholes, uneven pavement, and other road hazards that may cause you to lose control or damage your vehicle.
To stay safe, adhere to these guidelines:
Slow down when driving on or through leaves
Increase the space between cars
Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns
Check your tires and brakes
When raining, have both windshield wipers and headlights on
Keep hands on the wheel
Check surroundings, blind spots, and mirrors frequently
Follow speed limits and road sign instructions
Fall Fun Also Means Crowds
Everyone has places to be and is determined to get there quickly. That means more traffic on the roads, as well as more foot traffic on streets and sidewalks. Children can be the most unpredictable about when and where they cross the street, but adults can be, too. Best to never assume “no one ever crosses here,” as they may just prove you wrong. Also remember that Halloween night may not be the only popular night to go out this month. So give yourself time to get where you need to go. Also, slow down where people may be walking or are actively walking. Not just in residential areas. Festivals, concerts, movies, and various other activities will draw big crowds to any location. Especially between 5:30PM and 9:30PM. That's the popular time for most activities in the fall, not just Halloween.
Sun Sets Earlier, But the Day Isn’t Over
This year, the Daylight Saving Time switch will occur close to Halloween. At least Halloween itself is a Saturday. Still, there will be an adjustment period as we all get used to the earlier sunsets again. Adjust sleep schedules accordingly so you don’t drive tired. That is what you and your loved ones can do. But you should also still prepare for others to be a little slow to react when they're drowsy. Driving safely means being responsible for yourself and for what others may do, no matter the time of year.
Yet that doesn’t stop the fun or people’s schedules. It just means more people will be out when it's dark. Which is why we advise driving slowly, with good brakes and tires. Never assume the road is clear even when it appears to be. Always be prepared for the unexpected. Don’t let anyone catch you off guard. Depending on the day, joggers, dog walkers, festival-goers, parade attendees, partiers, kids, and more will be out and about.
Safely Trick or Treating
Beyond costume choices and road safety, there are other ways to keep the little ones safe. Stick to areas you and they know well. Stay in groups, and communicate who is with whom and where everyone will be. That may seem easy, but it can get quite chaotic on All Hallows' Eve. You can still have fun, just with plans and rules in place. Make sure phones are charged to keep communication lines open, especially in case emergency calls are needed.
Some suggested guidelines for families trick-or-treating:
Set a rule to hold hands or wait to cross as a group when navigating streets
Cross at intersections or crosswalks as much as possible
Remind children to look both ways before crossing and make eye contact with the driver
Use sidewalks where available
Stay in well-lit and/or familiar areas
Always have an adult with younger children
Walk up to the door if the driveway is long
Have check-ins during the night
Inspect the candy before eating
Happy Halloween From the North Jefferson County Ambulance District
Enjoy the thrills and chills this season. Just remember to always plan ahead to stay safe while having fun. Whether you're trick-or-treating, gathering around a bonfire, or simply enjoying the nice weather, it’s better to play it safe. Consider these tips that we shared to reduce autumn accidents. The North Jefferson County Ambulance District wants families to make lots of memories this fall and winter.
Want to learn more? Contact us to learn how to keep you and your loved ones safe during any fall activity.
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