One of the most anticipated holidays of the year for kids and many of their parents, Halloween can be a scary proposition when it comes to safety. Since we are concerned about our customers and friends and their families, we wanted to dedicate this week’s blog post to tips designed to keep you and your children safe while you are driving on Halloween night as well as when you are walking from house-to house.
Consider these scary statistics:
- One third of parents report that they discuss Halloween safety with their kids each year, although three-quarters of survey respondents say they have holiday-safety related concerns. Talk to your kids!
- On average, twice as many children as adult pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to any other day of the year.
- Only 18 percent of parents apply reflective tape to their children’s costumes.
- Twelve percent of kids aged five years or younger are permitted to trick-or-treat alone.
Keep Your Kids Safe on Halloween
Talk with your children so they understand simple safety precautions that can turn Halloween into a fun and safe event for the entire family.
Watch your kids.
Children under the age of 12 should trick-or-treat and cross the street only with an adult! Good rule of thumb — if your child is young enough to qualify to go door-to-door asking for candy, he or she should be accompanied by an adult.
Use crosswalks
Instruct your kids to walk only on sidewalks or pathways. If sidewalks are not available, make sure they walk facing traffic and as far to the side of the road as possible.
Pay attention
Cross the street at corners instead of jaywalking. Use traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning and backing up.
Go out of your way
Drivers should avoid residential neighborhoods and child-filled intersections altogether, if possible.
Take it slow
If eliminating neighborhoods and intersections on Halloween is out of the question, drivers should slow down and remain alert anywhere children are trick-or-treating or trunk-or-treating. Some shopping centers offer alternative events. So, if you are driving on or around Halloween and see kids in costumes, proceed with caution! Excited kids are more likely to dart in front of traffic than if they are walking somewhere less thrilling than in search of candy.
Proceed with caution
Children will be lining the streets alongside their parents in cute (and hard to see) costumes, so drive slowly through these crowded areas.
Stay off of your cellphone
Nothing is so important that you lose concentration a second too long and make a huge mistake.
Signal
Other drivers and pedestrians will appreciate knowing your intentions.
Remain alert
Reach a stopped vehicle (especially a van or SUV)? Pay attention, as the vehicle may be unloading a car full of kids.
Stay calm
Try not to panic over your inability to travel with ease on Halloween night. It’s one night a year. One night of inconvenience beats the alternative, which could include a horrible accident.
If, despite your best efforts, you are in a car accident, whether it results in a little scratch or a big gash, take your auto to C&L Auto Body in Covina.
About C&L Auto Body in Covina
You have options when it comes to auto body repair needs which result from an accident. And it is illegal for your insurance company to demand you use one shop over another. The “go-to” partner for auto body repair in the San Gabriel Valley since 1970 is C&L Auto Body. We will even help you arrange for a rental car. And we will work directly with your insurance company, so you won’t have to! C&L Auto Body is owned and operated by the Buonsanti family, who strives to treat clients like family. Come by the shop at 781 E San Bernardino Road in Covina, contact us via email today, call (626) 445-6630 or visit CandLAutoBody.com.