Halloween Safety Tips from Safe Kids Gwinnett & Fire Dept.

Safe Kids Gwinnett and the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services has some tips to keep your little ghouls and goblins safe this Halloween.

They are asking parents to prepare their children to act safely ahead of time. reminding drivers to be vigilant on the road. 

“Parents need to talk to kids about safety before they go out trick-or-treating,” said Tania Diaz of Safe Kids Gwinnett in a release. "Many kids will be out trick-or-treating while it is dark when it is more difficult for drivers to see them. There are several easy and effective behaviors that parents can share with kids to help reduce their risk of injury."

They're also reminding drivers to be vigilant on the road.

"Safe Kids and GCFES urge drivers to slow down on neighborhood roads to make Halloween more enjoyable for everyone, but also to help save lives," added Lieutenant Colin Rhoden, spokesman for Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.

The two groups are offering the following tips to have a fun and safe Halloween: 

Top safety tips for parents:

•             Cross the street safely at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.  Walk across the street, don’t run.

•             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.

•             Slow down and stay alert - watch out for cars that are turning or backing up and never dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars.

•             Costumes can be both creative and safe. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Masks can obstruct a child's vision, so choose non-toxic face paint and make-up whenever possible instead. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as be seen by drivers.

Top safety tips for drivers:

•             Drive slowly in residential neighborhoods. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

•             Be especially alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

•             Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.