Good Samaritan Host Trunk-Or-Treat On Oct. 26
On average, twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween than on any other day of the year according to Safe Kids Worldwide.
In an effort to provide a fun and safe holiday celebration, CHI Health Good Samaritan is hosting a free Trunk-or-Treat for the community. Hospital staff will be handing out candy to children age 12 and under from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26 in the hospital’s north parking lot. Costumes are encouraged. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
"We want Halloween to be scary for all the right reasons–not because of a trip to the ER. Remember to be safe, BE SEEN this Halloween,” says Tracy Rademacher, Good Samaritan Trauma Prevention Nurse and Safe Kids Platte Valley Coordinator.
According to Rademacher, a few simple precautions can help limit injuries for those driving and walking on Halloween.
Halloween Safety Tips for Parents and Children
Halloween is exciting for children, but it can also leave them vulnerable to injury. To help ensure safety, CHI Health recommends children:
carry a flashlight, use retro-reflective tape or stickers, and/or wear a flashing safety button to increase visibility to drivers; the liquid in glow sticks is hazardous; use with caution and remind children not to chew-on or break them
always trick-or-treat with an adult
only trick-or-treat in familiar areas that are well lit
cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks; look left, right and left again when crossing; always walk, don’t run, when crossing streets
make eye contact with drivers and watch for cars that are turning or backing up
walk on sidewalks or designated paths
never dart into the street or cross between parked cars
wear light-colored, flame-retardant, costumes; avoid carrying sticks, swords or other sharp objects
wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes to prevent trips and falls
wear face paint or makeup; masks restrict children’s vision
check treats for signs of tampering; throw away if candy is unwrapped or the wrapper is faded or torn
Halloween Safety Tips for Drivers
Motorists can do their part to keep kids safe by being extra cautious this Halloween. CHI Health recommends drivers:
be especially alert in residential neighborhoods
drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic on and near the road
be sure to drive with your full headlights on, so you can spot children from greater distances
take extra time to actively look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs
remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle
enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully
remember that children are excited on this night and may move in unpredictable ways
remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30-9:30 p.m.
reduce any distractions, including mobile phones, so you can concentrate on the road and pedestrians