Twenty Tips for a Street-Smart Halloween (DOT)

Halloween is an exciting holiday for children; it's also a great time to talk to your kids about street smarts. To ensure trick-or-treaters stay safe, NYC DOT and Safe Kids New York City offers these safety tips for kids and motorists.

For Kids
1. Kids 10 and under should trick-or-treat with a trusted adult
2. Only trick-or-treat in familiar areas that are well lit
3. Cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks
4. Look left, right and left again when crossing; always walk, don't run, when crossing streets
5. Make eye contact with drivers and watch for cars that are turning or backing up
6. Walk on sidewalks or paths; if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible
7. Never dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars
8. Wear light-colored, flame-retardant, costumes decorated with retro-reflective tape or stickers
9. Wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes to prevent trips and falls
10. Carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to drivers
11. Wear face paint and makeup; a mask can restrict a child's vision

For Motorists
12. Be especially alert in residential neighborhoods
13. Drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road
14. Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances
15. Take extra time to actively look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs
16. Remember that costumes can limit children's visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle
17. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully
18. Remember that children are excited on this night and may move in unpredictable ways
19. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30-9:30 p.m.
20. Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and pedestrians

Kids - Check out these Halloween safety tips and maze with your parents and have a fun and safe Halloween! (in PDF)

Parents - forward these tips to share with your friends and neighbors. Together we can all have a safe and happy Halloween.