We at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy want to help parents avoid those who would want to pull Halloween “tricks” on you and your children. Here are some safety tips to help keep your children safe.

Did you know that child pedestrian injuries are more likely on Halloween than any other night of the year? Research shows that evening from 6 to 9 p.m. is the riskiest time of day for child pedestrians. Ensure the children know the rules of the road and how to avoid being hit by a vehicle. It is best to always accompany younger children as the excitement often gets to them as they move from house to house. They will oftentimes not look both ways before crossing a street, and then their costumes often block part of their vision. If trick-or-treating does not start until after dark where you live, consider checking with your local community bulletin boards or organizations for Halloween activities offered earlier in the day.

Encourage your older children who are going out to travel with at least one other child who is as old or older than they are, and better yet, travel in a group. Ensure their mobile phone is fully charged with the tracking app turned on. If your older children are trick-or-treating alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home and get flashlights with batteries for everyone.

It is also best to discuss “stranger danger” prior to going out for trick-or-treating. Caution kids to never enter a home or car for a treat. Notify law enforcement authorities immediately about any suspicious or unlawful activity. Review with your child how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency, get lost, or are prone to wander. You can also check the database of registered sex offenders in your area so you can avoid those houses altogether. You can get the database at https://sors.doc.ok.gov/, put in your address, and get the addresses of those you might prefer to avoid.

While you want children to have their mobile phones with them for emergencies, talk with them about the risks of distracted walking. This includes text messaging, talking on or looking at their cell phone, and listening to music. This can also lead to falls, or worse, being hit by a vehicle.

You should also encourage children to cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Most (62%) child pedestrian traffic fatalities occur midblock, rather than at intersections. Make sure kids know not to cross the street safely between parked cars or out of driveways or alleys.

When planning costumes, try to ensure they are bright and reflective. A brightly colored treat bag or glow-in-the-dark elements can be a fun way to incorporate safety into a scary costume. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to darker costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.

Remind children that it is best to stay on well-lit streets and always use sidewalks. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. Encourage them to only go to homes with porch lights on and, ideally, well-lit pathways, and preferably where they know the person or where an organized neighborhood Halloween gathering is occurring.

I hope this does not increase fears about the holiday as this is truly an enjoyable time for both children seeking candy and those adults who love to see the joy of kids in costume. If you are passing out treats at your house or at an organized gathering, I hope you, too, have a happy Halloween!

About OICA: The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy was established in 1983 by a group of citizens seeking to create a strong advocacy network that would provide a voice for the needs of children and youth in Oklahoma, particularly those in the state’s care and those growing up amid poverty, violence, abuse and neglect, disparities, or other situations that put their lives and future at risk. Our mission statement: “Creating awareness, taking action and changing policy to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Oklahoma’s children.”