Regional EMS Authority - Reno, Nevada

October 28, 2002 – Halloween is one of the most exciting holidays of the year for children and yet one of the most dangerous ones as well. As children prepare to hit the streets to trick-or-treat, unintentional injuries rise. According to the National SAFE KIDS campaign, children are four times more likely to die as pedestrians on Halloween than any other night of the year.

“The excitement and fun of trick-or-treating from house to house often distracts children and they tend to forget about safety. Careless street crossing coupled with drivers’ limited vision at night, can make for a deadly mix,” said Eric Guevin, Director of SAFE KIDS Washoe County and Director of Community Education for REMSA (Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority). “Many of the risks children face on Halloween can be avoided if parents discuss important safety precautions with their children prior to trick-or-treating.”

REMSA and the SAFE KIDS Washoe County Coalition have provided special safety tips for parents to teach their children and driving tips for motorists to keep in mind while traveling through neighborhoods on Halloween night.

Teach them never to dart out into a street or cross between parked cars.
Teach them to look left, right and left again before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross.
Remind children to stop at all street corners before crossing. Tell them to cross streets only at intersections and crosswalks.
Never let children under age 12 go trick-or-treating or cross the street without adult supervision.
Teach children to walk, not run, while trick-or-treating.
Adults should accompany children under age 12 on their trick-or-treat rounds.
Discreetly attach the name, address and phone number (including area code) of children under age 12 to their clothes in case they get separated from adults.
Teach your child his or her phone number.
Make sure your children have change for a phone call in case they have a problem away from home.
Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along a pre-established route.
Instruct children never to enter a home or an apartment building unless accompanied by an adult. Set a time for children to return home.
Restrict trick-or-treating visits to homes with porch or outside lights illuminated.
Tell children to bring their treats home before eating them. Parents should check treats to ensure that items have not been tampered with and are safely sealed. Be careful with fruit. Inspect the surface closely for punctures or holes and cut it open before allowing a child to eat it.
Decorate costumes, bags and sacks with retro-reflective tape and stickers.
Use costumes that are light or bright enough to make children more visible at night.

REMSA is a private, not-for-profit emergency medical services system serving northern Nevada. REMSA’s state-of-the art 9-1-1 dispatch communications center is fully accredited, as are all emergency medical transport services of the company. REMSA provides quality patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies.