This week, we want to look into the spooky future. While decorations for the Halloween festivities may already be up in your home, we would like to speak about car safety on Halloween. Here in Oviedo, Florida, we have plenty trick or treaters. Prepare early by reading up on a few ways you can avoid car accident injuries on Halloween.
The real dangers on Halloween:
Your children may have already asked to go Halloween costume shopping as they are in stores now. We know many clients have children, and would benefit from learning car safety relevant to holidays such as Halloween. Although you may not celebrate this fun or frightening holiday, knowing the specific dangers of driving on Halloween should still be your concern.
That is, unless you are not planning on leaving your house on Halloween. Depending on the neighborhood, trick or treating always starts at different times. Usually, the younger children go to bed much early than teenagers. These little gremlins start trick or treating as early as 5:30 or 6 pm.
A little bit older crowds may show up on your doorstep around thirty minutes after them, or they may tag along with their younger siblings. Lastly, the older trick or treaters, and even young adults, may trick or treat as late as 8 pm. Any later is considered rude.
Because some families have more than one child, children ranging in ages may have to go out all together. However, the younger ones may fall asleep mid trick or treat. Parents may opt to bring their cars out.
From past years, studies have proven cars pose a very serious threat to many children’s lives. Most parents are worried about checking candy for razors or open packages. But really, these are of low concern to many studying past car accidents on Halloween.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are twice as likely to be hit and killed on Halloween than any other day of the year. We are going to share experts’ advice both pedestrians and drivers can use to reduce the number of fatal hits this year. First off, never leave your children unattended.
Pedestrian safety for Halloween:
Children under 16 should go out in groups, and younger children should always be with a parent. If you are a single parent and have more than two kids, opt for a stroller or wagon! We understand it is hard, but this can be life or death on this day full of traffic.
When preparing for their costumes, consider safety. Light up costumes not only stand out, they are like walking safety reflectors. The lights will help cars spot your child if they somehow end up in the road.
Choose a costume that has defective material. Shiny and bright materials works well for this purpose too. If they just won’t go for one of these options, have your child hold a flashlight or blinking toy.
Even the quietest of neighborhoods can have a tremendous amount of traffic on Halloween. Prepare fo the worst. Speak to your children about the dangers before leaving the house. Use this holiday as a learning experience.
If the child is old enough to walk, practice holding their hand and looking both ways before crossing the street the weeks leading up to the big day.
Prompt your teenagers that are going out on their own to be alert. They should avoid looking at their phones while walking. Likewise, they should never assume their friends looked for cars before crossing the street.
Speak with your teens about their plans ahead of time. Rushing can cause chaos. Have a time and place chosen for pick-up. If their phones die or they just do not simply answer, as we know happens, you know where to find them.
Halloween is yet another day of the year that requires extra car safety preparation. Do not hesitate to begin preparing now. Car accidents and pedestrian safety is going to be an ongoing topic for the next few weeks.
Physical therapy and chiropractic methods used for car accident injuries:
Oviedo driving and pedestrian safety is important. If you witness or are involved in a car accident on Halloween, or any other day for that matter, we advise you to first speak to ProCare Health & Rehab Centers before going to an ER.
Stop by next time for more car safety information.
Staff writer
