Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for Bakersfield families. This year, October 31 falls on a Saturday, so neighborhoods may be busier than usual with trick-or-treaters, parties, and visitors. Excited children in dark costumes, combined with drivers who may be distracted, can create real danger. These Halloween safety tips for parents, along with a few reminders for drivers, can help your family enjoy the evening and come home safely.
Why Halloween Night Is Risky for Pedestrians
Trick-or-treating happens after dark, often on neighborhood streets that see far more foot traffic than usual. Children dart between houses, cross mid-block, and step out from behind parked cars. Meanwhile, drivers may be heading to parties or rushing home from errands.
Pedestrian safety is a serious concern every day of the year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,080 pedestrians were killed and more than 71,000 were injured nationwide in 2024. Halloween adds more people, less visibility, and more distractions to the same roads.
Halloween Safety Tips for Parents: Costumes and Visibility
A safe costume is one that drivers can see and your child can move in comfortably. The American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids Worldwide recommend these steps:
• Add reflective tape to costumes and treat bags, and choose lighter colors when you can.
• Carry a flashlight or glow sticks so drivers can spot your child from a distance.
• Choose face paint over masks. Masks can block a child’s view of oncoming traffic.
• Check the fit. Costumes and shoes should fit well to prevent trips and falls.
• Look for flame-resistant labels on costumes, wigs, and accessories.
Planning a Safe Trick-or-Treat Route
A little planning goes a long way. Choose familiar, well-lit streets with sidewalks, and map out a route with as few street crossings as possible. If your neighborhood has busy roads or few sidewalks, consider a community trunk-or-treat or a nearby neighborhood with safer walking conditions.
Set a clear return time for older children, and make sure their phones are charged. Agree in advance on which streets are off-limits. Finally, go early when you can. Starting before sunset gives children more daylight to see curbs, uneven pavement, and traffic, and it gives drivers a better chance to see them.
Halloween Safety Tips for Parents of Younger Children
Safe Kids Worldwide recommends that children under 12 trick-or-treat with an adult. Teach younger children these simple rules before you leave home:
• Cross only at corners or crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars or mid-block.
• Look left, right, and left again, and keep looking while crossing.
• Walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Make eye contact with drivers before stepping in front of a vehicle.
• Stay on the sidewalk. If there is none, walk facing traffic as far from the road as possible.
Guidance for Tweens and Teens
Older children who trick-or-treat without a parent should travel in groups and stick to the agreed route. Remind them to put phones away while crossing the street, since texting and walking can be as dangerous as texting and driving. Earbuds should come out, too, so they can hear approaching vehicles.
It also helps to talk openly about peer pressure. Teens may be tempted to take shortcuts through dark yards, cross busy roads, or ride with a newly licensed friend. Ask them to check in by text at set times, and make sure they know they can always call you for a ride, no questions asked.
Reminders for Drivers on Halloween Night
Drivers share responsibility for keeping children safe. Safe Kids notes that the most popular trick-or-treating hours are roughly 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. During that window:
• Slow down in residential areas, and drive well below the posted limit if streets are crowded.
• Enter and exit driveways slowly, and check carefully for children before backing up.
• Turn on your headlights early to see and be seen.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. A child may be crossing out of view.
• Put your phone away. Even a brief glance can be too long.
Under California Vehicle Code section 21950, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks and use due care for pedestrians at all times. Finally, if you plan to celebrate with alcohol, arrange a sober ride home. Read more about the dangers of drunk driving accidents.
For Homeowners Welcoming Trick-or-Treaters
If you are handing out candy, a few precautions can prevent injuries on your property. Keep porch lights on, clear walkways of cords, decorations, and other tripping hazards, and secure pets indoors. Even friendly dogs can become anxious when costumed strangers repeatedly approach the door. Property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe, and our premises liability and dog bite pages explain more.
If Your Child Is Hurt on Halloween
We hope you never need this information. However, if a careless driver strikes your child or a family member, take these steps:
• Call 911 and get medical care right away, even if injuries seem minor.
• Gather information from the driver and any witnesses.
• Take photos of the scene, lighting, and your child’s costume.
• Avoid recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with a lawyer.
California generally allows two years to file a personal injury claim, and special rules may protect the rights of injured children. Our Bakersfield pedestrian accident lawyers can explain your options with care and compassion.
Sharing Halloween Safety Tips for Parents in Our Community
From all of us at Colvin Accident Lawyers, we wish your family a safe and happy Halloween. Please share these Halloween safety tips for parents with friends, neighbors, and your child’s school community.
If your family has been hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, we are here to help. Call (661) 616-1177 or contact us online. We answer the phone 24/7.
