The American Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter offered safety recommendations so that families can enjoy Halloween, a popular celebration in which people of all ages go trick-or-treating, decorate their homes and attend parties. The organization warned that the holiday carries a real risk of children being struck by vehicles, citing the Journal of the American Medical Association: on Halloween, the probability that children are hit and killed while walking is more than double that of any other day of the year.
For trick-or-treaters, the Red Cross advised making sure costumes are safe, that children are easily visible and can see clearly, and teaching kids to visit only homes with the front light on, accept candy at the door and never enter a stranger’s residence. Drivers were urged to exercise extreme caution, especially after nightfall, since children may forget to look both ways and many costumes are hard to see at night.
Hosts can keep walkways, balconies and entry areas well lit and free of leaves and obstacles to prevent slips and falls. For adult parties, the Red Cross noted that alcohol-related traffic incidents increase on Halloween and many traffic deaths involve alcohol-impaired drivers. Pet owners should keep animals away from the activity, keep candy, especially chocolate, out of reach since it can be toxic, and ensure pets wear identification tags.