Injury-Free Halloween Tips from Safe Kids San Antonio

Halloween fun can easily make adults forget a frightening reality—Oct. 31 continues to be the most dangerous day of the year for pedestrians under the age of 18. 

A Safe Kids Worldwide analysis found that children on foot are more likely to be fatally injured by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day. 

“As we approach Halloween, Safe Kids San Antonio, led by University Health, is sharing tips for children, caregivers and motorists about how to stay safe,” said Jennifer Northway, director of injury prevention at University Health. When assembling that perfect costume, consider how well your child will be able see and how visible they will be. Masks can easily block a child’s view, and darker colors can make it harder for motorists to spot a person. Plan to use lights, reflective clothing or glow sticks to make trick-or-treaters more visible. 

“We are asking drivers to remain alert, slow down and take extra care on Oct. 31. Put cell phones away and focus on the road. All those little angels and monsters can be hard to see. In neighborhoods where trick-or-treating is popular, little ones may dart out from behind parked vehicles or run across the street,” Northway said. Practicing extra diligence in these areas is crucial.

Teach trick-or-treaters about safety

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again before crossing, and keep checking for vehicles as you cross. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Put cell phones down, keep heads up and walk; do not run across the street.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Parent and caregiver advice

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors to increase visibility.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. 
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. 
• Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. Remind older kids who can be out without an adult to trick-or-treat in groups and to stick to familiar areas.

Driver alert

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited about Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Avoid any driving distractions, like your cell phone, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

We want pedestrians and motorists to have fun and be safe when celebrating. While we are always ready to care for your medical needs, we do not want to see you at our Level 1 trauma center on Halloween because of a preventable accident. Take steps now to make a safety plan for your family. 

For more injury prevention tips, visit our website.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY HEALTH

University Health is the only locally owned health system in San Antonio. For more than 100 years, University Health has been here to heal, improve health, train the next generation of medical professionals and ensure the people of San Antonio, Bexar County and South Texas have access to primary and advanced specialty care close to home. Specialized services include the region’s only Level I trauma center for both adults and children, and maternal and neonatal intensive care centers designated at the highest levels by the State of Texas. As the region’s only academic health system, University Health is a hub of innovation and discovery, committed to delivering patient-centered, culturally competent, high-quality and compassionate care, based on a strong foundation of outcomes‐based research and innovative teaching. Learn more at UniversityHealth.com. Follow us on X and Facebook.