​The fall can be a slippery time for children heading outdoors and it's also the most common season for child pedestrian injuries. An average of 50 children are hit by a vehicle and admitted to hospital each year across the province. The highest number occur during the month of October.

“Both drivers and kids can be distracted on Halloween so it’s important to be safe while having fun,” says BC Children’s Hospital Trauma Manager Michelle Dodds. 

Here are some door-to-door dos and don’ts:

Be bright

• Stick reflective tape to costumes, coats and treat bags
• Give children lights to wear or flashlights to hold and bring extra batteries
• The brighter the costume, the better
• Light the path for trick-or-treaters (& clear slippery leaves off stairs)

Check for costume hazards

• Opt for face paint vs. masks, which can limit a child’s ability to see clearly
• Keep wigs and hats secured away from a child’s eyes
• Make sure all dresses and capes are above the ankle to prevent tripping
• Give kids well-fitting shoes or boots to avoid falls

Stay street-wise

• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of their vehicle
• If you have to walk on a road without a sidewalk, walk facing traffic so drivers can see you
• Encourage all crossings to happen at crosswalks or street corners
• Tell children to make sure to look left and right, and left again
• Drive slow, don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive high

Prioritize food health

• Provide a healthy meal before children fill up on candy
• Check candy and throw out anything that isn’t wrapped

Think age-appropriate trick-or-treating

• Hold the hands of younger kids, who may be unsteady on slippery stairs or uneven sidewalks
• If older kids are on their own, they should stick to a planned route and meet up times so caregivers know when and where to find them

Don’t fool with fire

• Use battery candles in pumpkins
• Choose fire resistant costumes
• Skip fireworks - they commonly cause burns to the hands and face