It turns out that ghosts, monsters, vampires and witches are the least of our worries heading into a Friday-night Halloween. From carving pumpkins to trick-or-treat traffic safety, experts have issued warnings this week about real-life Halloween scares.
“While Halloween is traditionally one of the most dangerous nights of the year for both pedestrians and drivers, the risks are even higher this year,” said a Wednesday press release from AAA. “With the holiday falling on a Friday, AAA is warning of a hazardous mix: increased foot traffic from trick-or-treaters, more weekend parties, and a greater likelihood of driving impaired.”
Citing data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, AAA noted that half of all crash fatalities reported on Halloween night 2023 were alcohol related. That year Halloween fell on Tuesday, a school night.
“Unlike weeknight Halloweens, when people tend to go home early or avoid drinking due to work the next day, a Friday celebration encourages more social gatherings and relaxed attitudes toward drugs and alcohol,” explained Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson for AAA. “This creates a dangerous environment on the roads, especially with neighborhoods full of families walking after dark.”
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are already more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Reasons behind this annual spike include dark costumes, distracted walking and unpredictable street crossing as kids walk around their neighborhoods ringing doorbells for candy.
“The risk of pedestrian fatalities is 43% higher on Halloween compared to any other night, as indicated by research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that sifted through 42 years of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,” said the American Red Cross in a 2024 press release. “The study also revealed that children between the ages of 4 and 8 are 10 times more likely to be hit by a vehicle on Halloween than on any other evening.”
Heidi Ruster, CEO of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region said that “trick-or-treaters running from house to house with friends may not be cautious on Halloween.” AAA’s Woodland also stressed that “it’s not enough to just dress your child in a costume and head out the door,” and that parents should make sure their children understand traffic safety before heading out to get their candy haul.
“Remind them to stay alert and watch for cars before crossing,” said Woodland. “A few minutes of preparation can prevent a lifetime of regret.”
AAA recommends the following to stay safe on trick-or-treater-filled streets:
· Pick light-colored costumes if possible, or add reflective tape, glowsticks or flashlights
· Use crosswalks and traffic signals and never cross mid-block or between parked cars
· Keep phones and earbuds away while walking or supervising children
· Stick to sidewalks, and if there are none, walk facing traffic and stay far to the left
· Remove bulky costumes or coats before buckling children in
· Make sure everyone is buckled when in a vehicle
· Don’t get distracted while driving
· Avoiding speeding, especially in busy areas
· Keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters when driving
· Plan ahead for sober drivers, don’t get behind the wheel impaired
· Don’t let friends drive impaired
Traffic isn’t the only danger lurking in the shadows this Halloween. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Halloween fun can quickly turn frightening if fire safety is overlooked.”
It said holiday decorations started an average of 832 home structure fires annually between 2019 and 2023. Those resulted in three deaths, 28 injuries, and $17 million in direct property damage. Nearly half (47%) of these fires occurred because the decorations were too close to a heat source; approximately one-third (33%) started with candles, the association said.
“Halloween is a festive holiday for people of all ages, but it’s important to recognize where potential fire dangers lurk,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.
In Phoenix, Ariz., the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center warned about an increased risk of poisoning and toxic exposures on Halloween. It urged people to take extra precautions during the holiday.
“Halloween presents unique safety challenges that many families don’t anticipate," said Maureen Roland, director of the Banner poison center. “From candy that may contain harmful substances to decorative items with toxic components, we want to ensure everyone can enjoy the holiday safely.”
Dr. L. Anthony Cirillo, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians also said this week that “Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for many emergency physicians.” Even arts and crafts can have a dark side – the organization said that more than half of the more than 3,000 Halloween-related injuries reported every year are due to pumpkin-carving mishaps.
“To avoid injury, use tools specifically designed for pumpkin carving, or exercise extra caution if you must use kitchen knives,” said the ACEP. “Young children should not carve pumpkins, and all children should be closely supervised by adults when carving.”