Get ready for mini goblins, Barbies, and superheroes roaming the D.C. area on Tuesday evening. While Halloween is all about spooky fun and candy, it’s important to be cautious and prepared to prevent accidents and thefts.
To ensure a safe Halloween, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions. This can include making sure your children wear brightly colored costumes and keeping your home well-lit when you’re away.
Here are some additional safety tips to keep your kids and home safe on Halloween:
Halloween Safety Tips
D.C. police are hosting Safe Haven events at various departments across the city. News4 visited a haunted house at the Third District Police Station on U Street NW.
“This is an opportunity for our residents, visitors, children, and partygoers to enjoy a Safe Haven event away from the streets and bad weather. It’s a chance to have some fun,” said Metropolitan Police Department Cmdr. James Boteler.
For a full list of Halloween Safe Haven events in D.C., click here.
The first tip for parents is to stay in well-lit areas when you’re outside and walking around. It’s highly recommended for kids to stay in groups with adults for extra safety.
Trick-or-treaters should use glow sticks or flashlights to light their way to candy. Wearing bright clothes or neon costumes can also help them stand out on Halloween.
“We want tonight to be a safe and fun time for everyone. However, we also want to ensure that opportunistic individuals don’t take advantage of the crowded streets,” added Boteler.
Fairfax County Police advise drivers to remain alert on Halloween and be prepared for children roaming around neighborhoods.
“Slow down and pay attention to your speed in your neighborhoods. Expect the unexpected as a ghost or goblin might jump out from between two bushes or cars,” said Fairfax County Deputy Chief of Police Robert Blakley.
Street safety tips include being aware of your surroundings, avoiding distractions, and following the rules of the road.
Halloween Home Safety
Halloween is supposed to be a fun night for kids, but it can turn spooky due to the risk of thefts and vandalism.
“Claims for theft on Halloween are up by 15% compared to other days of the year,” said Jennifer Wilbert, Assistant Vice President at Travelers.
Travelers, an insurance company, analyzed their data from the past 10 years and found that claims for vandalism and malicious mischief increase by 74% on Halloween compared to the rest of the year.
“It’s a time of year when you may not be at home and are out for the evening, so you’re more susceptible to these types of activities,” Wilbert explained.
Their research also revealed that only 52% of people lock their doors when they go out for trick-or-treating, and only 35% turn off all the lights in their houses.
Property damage claims also rise on Halloween, mainly due to accidents like leaving a live fire or candles unattended. To prevent injury claims from trips or falls, make sure walkways are clear of debris and obstacles for visitors.
Here are a few simple things you can do to avoid theft and vandalism:
- Lock your doors and make your home appear occupied by leaving the TV on.
- Inform a neighbor that you won’t be home and ask them to keep an eye on your place.
- Don’t leave a spare key in an obvious spot.
- Lock your car doors or park it in a garage. Remove all personal belongings.
- Ensure your outdoor lighting is switched on and use security cameras to deter thieves.
According to a new report, theft insurance claims significantly increase on Halloween. News4 Consumer Reporter Susan Hogan shares tips to keep your home safe while trick-or-treating.
Halloween Forecast
After six days of temperatures in the 70s, today’s highs will be in the mid-50s. The sudden drop in temperatures will make for a chilly evening in the 40s.
Although rain was expected before noon, skies will brighten throughout the day. Most areas of the D.C. region should be dry by nighttime, but rain may linger in Southern Maryland until around 6 p.m., as reported by Storm Team4.
In terms of extreme Halloween weather, the warmest and rainiest year in the area was 2019, according to Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell.
“We reached a high of 77 degrees and had over an inch of rain. It was definitely a soggy Halloween,” said Chuck Bell.
The coldest recent Halloween was in 2011 with a temperature of 36°F. The only time the area experienced snow on Halloween was 98 years ago, with 2/10 of an inch in 1925, added Bell.
