Halloween is a great time to allow yourself and your children to have fun and indulge in extra sweets. In 2015, it was estimated that around 41.1 million children ages 5 to 14 will go trick-or-treating. With that many people engaging in activities that are out of their normal routine, it is unfortunately going to lead to some personal injury and crime to watch out for.

Pedestrian Accidents on Halloween

One of the biggest threats to children on Halloween night are the drivers on the road. As children run from house to house trick-or-treating they are often difficult to see in the dark and can be at a huge risk of being struck by a vehicle.

Take some time to speak to your children prior to Halloween. You will want to make sure that they are paying attention and not too excited to listen. They need to be cautious of other vehicles not just when they cross the road, but every time they are crossing a driveway or alley where cars could be backing up. Especially for younger children it is important that you remain alert since they are harder to see in rear view mirrors.

Buying glow sticks, flashlights and any kind of lighting you can find to make sure your children are as visible as possible is recommended. Walking near them will ensure that you are able to scan for dangers ahead of time, especially for smaller children.

If you are driving that day, be sure to scan not only the road in front of you but the sides of the road so that you can have more time to react if small children run out in front of you. Decrease your speed on residential roads and give yourself extra time to make it to your destination. Common car accident injuries can cause serious damage. It is not worth risking your life, or those around you.

Accidents Caused by Costumes

Another common injury on Halloween is caused by loose-fitting or too long costumes. Costumes should be addressed early to make sure that your child can properly walk around without tripping, and that they can see properly. Proper footwear should be worn regardless of what costume they decide to pick.

Fire Dangers on Halloween

In addition to making sure everyone has a costume that does not limit mobility, you will want to check that your costume is made of flame-resistant material. These include nylon or polyester, and will often be labeled that they are flame resistant. Billowing skirts and larger costumes can pose a threat by igniting when rubbing up against a candle in a jack-o-lantern.

Protect passing children and possible property damage by lighting pumpkins with glow sticks or battery-operated lighting. Fires can spread quickly and the risk is too great for injury to have open flames surrounding your house just for a spooky glow.

Theft and Property Damage on Halloween

Some people take advantage of Halloween as an excuse to commit crimes. Most families will be out of the home during the trick-or-treating hours, and it makes you an easy target for someone that is looking to rob you or your car.

Protect your belongings this year by keeping lights on when you leave the home, or by designating someone to stay back while everyone goes out. Take extra caution by keeping your car clean and empty to avoid having anything visible that might tempt someone to break in. You should also avoid announcing your plans on social media ahead of time. This could alert anyone on when they would be able to easily find an empty home.

Following these safety tips will ensure that you and your family are safe and sound this holiday season.