1000 SW Jackson Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8649 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee:
Randall Bolin
NHTSA Region VII

Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

John Drees
Douglas County
SAFE KIDS Coalition

John Halbran
Kansas Safety Belt
Education Office

Jim Keating
Kansas State
Firefighters Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshal's Office

Cindy Samuelson
Kansas Hospital Association

SAFE KIDS KANSAS PROVIDES HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Pedestrian Safety Rules Essential on Most Dangerous Night of the Year

Safe Kids Kansas reminds parents this Halloween that October 31 is the most dangerous day of the year for child pedestrians. In fact, children are four times more likely to be killed while walking on Halloween than any other night of the year. It is essential for parents to prepare their children properly to stay safe while having fun.

The daylight savings time change means that children are more likely to be trick-or-treating in the dark when it is harder for drivers to see them. The excitement of the holiday can make everyone less cautious. To keep kids safe, parents must remind them about the rules of the road and ensure that they will be seen by drivers this Halloween.

“Parents need to remind kids about safety while walking before they go out trick-or-treating,” says Jan Stegelman, coordinator of Safe Kids Kansas. “Children should also bring flashlights or glow sticks with them, carry reflective bags or have reflective tape on their costumes and not wear masks which may inhibit their ability to see hazards. Making sure that all kids are seen this Halloween is essential to keep this holiday fun for everyone. Drivers can do their part by being especially careful in residential neighborhoods,” says Stegelman. “Slow down and look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.”

Safe Kids recommends that children under age 12 do not trick-or-treat without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to go trick-or-treating without supervision, make sure they stick to a predetermined route with good lighting. Parents must also remind kids to:
• Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Don’t assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.
• 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.
• Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Although pedestrian safety is a main concern on Halloween, parents also need to keep in mind that there are other hazards for their children on this holiday. Parents must check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. The liquid in glow sticks is also toxic, so parents should remind children not to chew on or break them. To prevent costume fires, keep jack-o’-lanterns that are lit with candles away from doorsteps and walkways, and consider using glow sticks instead of candles. Finally, Safe Kids Kansas suggests that parents look for non-toxic designations when choosing Halloween makeup.

Many factors contribute to making Halloween a potentially dangerous holiday for children but with proper preparation, parents and children can reduce the risk of accidental injuries. Visit www.safekids.org for more tips on how to keep children safe on Halloween and throughout the year.

Safe Kids Kansas, Inc. is a nonprofit Coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing accidental injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Clay, Coffey, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ellis, Ford, Franklin, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marion, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Republic, Rice, Riley, Saline, Smith, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson and Woodson Counties, as well as the cities of Chanute, Emporia, Leavenworth, Norton, Pittsburg, the Wichita Area and the Metro Kansas City Area. Safe Kids Kansas is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury.