Halloween safety

This is the 7th year we celebrate Halloween in the US and I keep being surprised about longs lists of Halloween safety tips that circulates in media. When we look at statistics of what accidents actually happens on Halloween, there is one type that stands out: pedestrian accidents. Cars are the number one threat to trick-or-treaters and sadly, Halloween is the deadliest night all year for kid pedestrians. The graph below shows fatalities per day. Look at October 31st! The threat from cars and drivers is real. For every fatal accident, there are also about 10 seriously injured kids…

Let’s focus on the most important Halloween safety tips that make a significant difference:

#1 – Be Reflective (The Most Important Halloween Safety Tip!)

Here is what you need to know before buying reflector or reflective tape:

The power of  reflectors depends on the reflective power per square inch and the size. A lesser quality reflective material needs a larger surface than a good quality material to reflect equally strongly back to the driver. There is no American standard that takes into account both the material and the surface, so we we follow EN13356, a European standard is for visibility accessories for non-professional use. All funflectors are made with 3M Scotchlite (one of the best reflective material on the market) and fulfill EN13356.

How many reflectors are needed for trick-or-treating?

One reflector can make wonders, but it may just as well be on the “wrong” side of the kid when a car comes by. We recommend at least two, one front and one back or one left and one right. We hang 4-5 on our kids, that’s still cheaper than most co-pays at the ER, less pain and more fun! If you use reflective tape, you also need to make sure it’s enough to be seen from multiple directions.

#2 – Follow Traffic Rules

Most pedestrian accidents happen in the middle of the block.
1. Cross at intersections.
2. Use sidewalks and avoid busy streets without (or add another 3 reflectors to the outfit if you have to walk there).
Practice, practice and practice BEFORE Halloween and supervise if your ghosts and goblins can’t handle it. With ADHD kids, you need to practice even more since they don’t always manage to judge the situation with approaching cars in safe manner. PRACTICE  all year around!

#3 – Talk Safety with Kids

Studies shows that while most people talk about Halloween safety with their kids, only 1/3 do it every year. You need to talk about it several times in the weeks leading up to Halloween, not only when the kids are about to head out for trick-or-treating, too excited about costumes and candy to listen.

#4 – Educate Drivers

Here are some very good points from the State Farm Halloween Tips that you need to think about as a driver and talk to with friends and colleagues, especially those who don’t have kids at home.
1. Be alert for children and eliminate in-car distractions (cell phones, music, radio, friends,…)
2. Pull in and out of driveways carefully.
3. Slow down!
4. Practice extra caution at intersections and corners.
5. Discuss these and other driving pointers with your teen driver – or hide the car keys. Drivers ages 15–25 were involved in around one-third of fatal accidents involving child pedestrians on Halloween, according to the study.

— That’s it, Let’s Recap —

1. Use reflectors. If you don’t remember how many you need, just think that there can never be too many.
2. Follow Traffic Rules. You should know them, if not: study!
3. Talk Safety with Your Kids – start a week or two BEFORE Halloween
4. Remind Drivers, especially teen drivers, on being careful and alert every single minute they are in the car.
So how about the flash light, tainted candy, ration the kid’s candy, inspecting candy and more? In our opinion, they are well meant, but draws attention from the real danger!

The funflector team