Halloween Safety

With Halloween just around the corner, the Red Duke Trauma Institute and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital provide tips to make your Halloween night fun and safe.

Be Seen on Halloween

• Wear bright and reflective colors and carry a flashlight or wear something that glows in the dark so drivers can easily spot trick-or-treaters. Make sure costumes are made from flame-retardant material.
• Choose face paint instead of a mask. If you wear a mask, make sure that you are able to see in all directions.
• Avoid sharp objects on costumes.

Spooky Statistics

Halloween is the second deadliest day of the year for pedestrians. More than twice as many children are killed in pedestrian accidents on Halloween night than any other day in the year.

• Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult to trick-or-treat and cross streets.
• Cross the street at crosswalks and corners, using traffic signals.
• Beware of cars that are turning or backing up.

Drivers

• Be alert especially in residential neighborhoods. Drive slowly!
• Be mindful that costumes with masks limit visibility - the trick-or-treaters may not be able to see your vehicle.
• Concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Reduce distractions.
• Don't drink & drive.

Contact Us

For information on Injury Prevention, email our Injury Prevention Coordinators at traumaprevention@memorialhermann.org.

Mickalide AD, Rosenthal, KM, Donahue, MP. Halloween Safety: A National Survey of Parents' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors. Washington (DC): Safe Kids Worldwide, October 2011.

National Center for Statistics and Analysis' Information Services Branch. Trend and Pattern Analysis of Highway Crash Fatality By Month and Day. Washington (DC): National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, March 2005.