With Halloween across the nook, it’s a great time to contemplate methods to enhance the security of trick-or-treaters planning to roam neighborhoods and communities. The vacation brings delight to many but in addition heightens the chance of pedestrian accidents, as costumed characters dart from home to accommodate or are distracted by scary sights and sounds, particularly after dusk.
Those who’re handing out treats at dwelling may assist enhance security by maintaining pathways to the door nicely lit and freed from any obstacles like bicycles or backyard hoses which may block the trail of visiting goblins, witches and ghosts. Drivers must be further cautious on the roads that day, particularly between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m., when trick-or-treaters are most certainly to be out.
It’s all the time finest for an grownup to accompany younger kids once they trick or deal with. Often your city or park district will supply Halloween actions earlier within the day so you may keep away from going out after darkish. Older kids ought to journey in teams and create a “buddy system” to get one another dwelling safely and forestall strolling alone.
Here are some extra solutions:
— For older kids going out with associates, agree on a particular time when they need to return dwelling and get flashlights with batteries for everybody. Carry a cellphone for fast communication.
— Only go to properties with a porch mild on and, ideally, a well-lit pathway.
— Make certain that footwear match and costumes are quick sufficient so children don’t journey on them. Hats and/or masks ought to match correctly to forestall them from sliding over eyes and blocking imaginative and prescient.
— Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat luggage.
— Remain on well-lit streets and all the time use the sidewalk and crosswalks. If no sidewalk is on the market, stroll on the far fringe of the roadway dealing with visitors.
— Never reduce throughout yards or use alleys.
— Only cross the road as a gaggle in established crosswalks (as acknowledged by native customized). Never cross between parked vehicles or out of driveways.
— Don’t assume the best of manner. Motorists might have bother seeing trick-or-treaters. Just as a result of one automobile stops doesn’t imply others will.
— Caution children in regards to the danger of distracted strolling, together with textual content messaging, speaking on or taking a look at their cellphone cellphone and listening to music.
Research has proven that evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. are the riskiest occasions of day for youngster pedestrians at any time of 12 months. About 64% of kid pedestrian deaths happen in daytime or at nightfall, and most (62%) youngster pedestrian visitors fatalities occurred mid-block, relatively than at intersections.
While dad and mom usually fear about tainted sweet on Halloween, vehicles and visitors are actually the larger concern. Let’s maintain the scares to a minimal and luxuriate in this Halloween.
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ABOUT THE WRITER
Sadiqa A.I. Kendi, MD, MPH, FAAP, CPST, is the division chief of the pediatric emergency drugs division at Boston Medical Center and affiliate professor of pediatrics on the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Dr. Kendi is an knowledgeable in pediatric damage prevention, with a concentrate on well being fairness.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com”