Halloween is one of the most fun nights of the year for kids, and it's also one of the busiest nights for pedestrians. More children are out walking after dark, often in costumes that make them hard to see, while drivers are dealing with crowded streets, parked cars, and parties. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping the night safe and fun for everyone.
Here are our top Halloween safety tips for South Carolina families.
Table of Contents
1. Make Your Child Easy to See
Dark streets and dark costumes are a risky combination.
- Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and treat bags.
- Give each child a flashlight or glow stick. Glow sticks are inexpensive in bulk, so consider bringing extras to share with other kids in your group.
- Choose light-colored or bright costumes when you can.
- Pick face paint over masks that block your child's view.
2. Trick-or-Treat Together
Children under 12 should trick-or-treat with an adult. An adult is easier for drivers to spot than a small group of kids, and you can help them make safe choices at every crossing. For older kids going out with friends, agree on a route and a check-in time before they leave.
3. Be Smart on the Street
- Use sidewalks and paths. If there aren't any, walk on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
- Cross at corners, crosswalks, and intersections with traffic lights, not between parked cars.
- Look left, right, and left again, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
- Put phones away while walking, for both kids and adults.
4. Put Contact Information in Their Pocket
Even in small groups, kids can get separated. Tuck a card into your child's costume pocket with their name, your name, your phone number, and your address. If there's no pocket, a simple pin-on pouch works too.
5. Keep Costumes Safe
- Make sure costumes fit well and don't drag on the ground, which can cause trips and falls.
- Keep long fabric and props away from candle-lit jack-o'-lanterns. Flameless candles are a safer choice for pumpkins on your porch.
- Review "stop, drop, and roll" with younger children, just in case.
6. Keep Pets Inside
Costumes, doorbells, and crowds can stress out even the calmest dog. Keeping pets inside and away from the front door protects trick-or-treaters and your pet. If you're trick-or-treating, give unfamiliar dogs plenty of space. Here's more on dog bite injuries in South Carolina.
7. Check the Candy
Have kids wait to eat treats until you're home and can look through them. Toss anything unwrapped, opened, or homemade from someone you don't know, and watch for choking hazards and allergens for younger children.
Tips for Drivers on Halloween Night
Drivers play a big role in keeping kids safe.
- Slow down in neighborhoods, especially between dusk and late evening.
- Watch for children darting between parked cars or crossing mid-block.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Put your phone away.
- If you're celebrating, plan a sober ride home. Never drive after drinking, especially on a night when the streets are full of children.
If Your Child Is Hurt on Halloween
Even when families take every precaution, accidents can still happen, often because someone else wasn't careful. A child may be hit by a distracted or drunk driver, bitten by an unrestrained dog, or hurt on a poorly maintained property. When a bar or restaurant over-serves a driver who then causes a crash, South Carolina's dram shop laws may allow the business to be held responsible as well.
If your child was injured, get medical care first. Then write down what happened, take photos, and get the names of any witnesses. Learn more about pedestrian accidents in South Carolina.
Our firm helps families after a child is seriously hurt. We take the time to understand how the injury has affected your child and your family, handle the insurance companies, and keep you informed every step of the way. If your child was hurt on Halloween or any other day, call our office for a free consultation at 803-790-2800 (Columbia) or 843-427-2800 (Myrtle Beach). Learn more about our work as a child injury lawyer.
From all of us at the Law Offices of Kenneth Berger, have a safe and happy Halloween!