Before hitting the streets for trick-or-treating, go over these ghoulishly good tips with your little goblin(s).

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it involves the safety of our little ones. Before hitting the streets for trick-or-treating, go over these ghoulishly good tips with your little goblin(s):    

Costumes

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. If your child’s costume is hard to see in the dark, adhere some reflective tape to clothing or trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Are your child’s shoes too big? Does their costume drag the ground? To prevent tripping, make sure that costumes fit properly.     
• Consider decorative hats or non-toxic makeup in place of masks, which can limit or block eyesight.     
• Make sure that all costumes and accessories, including wigs, are fire-resistant.   

Home safety

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, remove any tripping hazards from the yard, such as garden hoses, lawn décor, or bikes. Ensure that wet leaves are removed from sidewalks as they could become slippery.
• Turn on porch or other outdoor lights.
• Keep pets away from the festivities. According to the Humane Society of the U.S., masks and costumes can change how people look and smell to a pet – so even familiar people may become frightening to them.
   

Road safety

• According to Safe Kids Worldwide, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to other days of the year. Motorists should exercise extreme caution, drive slowly, and enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.    
• The National Safety Council recommends discouraging new, inexperienced drivers from driving around trick-or-treat time. Popular trick-or-treating times are from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.   
• Trick-or-treaters should carry glow sticks or flashlights and travel in a group.
• Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there aren’t any, Safe Kids Worldwide recommends walking facing traffic as far to the side as possible.    

Treat time     

• Make sure there aren’t any tricks in your kiddo’s loot. Tell your kids not to sneak any treats before they return home. Sort and check treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious items.    

With these tips in mind, your Halloween is sure to be all treats and no tricks!

>> In Kentucky, there’s so much to live for. Join us in driving distraction-free this Halloween. To learn more about distracted driving’s prevalence in the Bluegrass State, click here.