Treat Yourself to a Healthy and Safe Halloween

Halloween is hauntingly around the corner. While it is known for its fun, costumes and candy, Halloween can also be a little scary for parents and pet owners – but it doesn’t have to be! The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) offers health and safety tips for a safe and fun celebration this Halloween.

“Creep” It Healthy with These Treats

Halloween can be a fun and exciting holiday for people of all ages, but it can also be difficult to stay on track with healthy eating habits. To help satisfy a child’s sweet tooth, consider opting for healthier and commercially wrapped alternatives such as:

  • Mini bags of fresh fruit and vegetables such as apples, raisins, grapes, carrots, or celery.
  • Mini bags of dried fruit or vegetable “chips.”
  • Squeeze fruit, fruit chews, or fruit rolls.
  • Mini bags of trail mix made with whole grain cereals.
  • Peanut butter in single-serve containers.
  • Individually packaged granola, cereal, soy, yogurt, and fig bars.
  • Mini bags of pretzels, animal crackers, mini rice cereal or granola bars, or whole grain cheddar cheese crackers.
  • Small bottles of water.
  • If candy is served, choose bite-size candy bars that are lower in fat and sugar.
  • Non-food treats like pencils, crayons, glow sticks, or bottles of bubbles.

Remember: Whether it’s candy or a healthy sweet snack like fruit, after the snacking is done, grab your toothpaste and toothbrush. Moderation is also key when it comes to indulging in Halloween treats. You can still enjoy the occasional candy or cookie but try to limit your intake and practice portion control.

Stay Safe with These Tricks

As fun as Halloween can be, there are some traditions that can be a bit dangerous as well. For the safety of all Halloween participants, follow these tips:

  • Parents should walk with their children when trick-or-treating and stick to familiar neighborhoods. Do not let them go alone. Teach children never to go into strangers’ homes or cars. In case young children become lost, put a nametag with two phone numbers on their costumes. Children should know their home phone number and how to call 911.
  • Choose light-colored costumes that are labeled “flame-retardant,” meaning the material will not burn. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since costume masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible. Make sure all costumes are appropriately sized to reduce trip and fall hazards.
  • At home, turn on outside lights and remove any tripping hazards.
  • Walk on well-lit sidewalks and driveways with flashlights. Use crosswalks and never assume that vehicles will stop for pedestrians. Insist that trick-or-treaters walk, not run or ride bicycles at night.
  • Teens and adult drivers should learn what day and time your city/town is holding trick-or-treating hours and be especially alert for children during these times.
  • Avoid candles and other flames.
  • Stay away from unknown or unattended pets.
  • Before eating any candy or treats, inspect them carefully to ensure they are safe to consume. Discard treats that are unsealed, have holes in the packages, are spoiled, or are homemade treats that were not made by someone you know. To prevent choking, do not allow young children to have hard candy or gum.

Finally, let’s not forget Halloween safety for our pets: Halloween can be stressful for pets. Doorbells ringing and strangers coming to their doors make some pets very anxious. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours.

  • Candy can cause illnesses, vomiting and diarrhea in pets. Make sure you keep candy in a safe place out of your pets’ reach. Don’t let your children “share” their Halloween treats (especially chocolate) with the family pet.
  • Pet costumes are cute, but make sure it’s a good fit for your animal. Make sure the costume does not limit his or her movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that could present a choking hazard. If you put it on and your pet seems overly anxious, then it’s best to let them be their glorious selves.
  • Make sure your pet is properly identified (microchip, collar and ID tag) in case it escapes through the open door while you’re distracted with trick-or-treaters.
  • Keep lit candles and jack-o-lanterns out of reach of pets.


Play it safe this Halloween: If you feel different, you drive different

Media Contact:Veronica Marshall
Public Information Officer,
Traffic Safety Outreach Coordinator
Veronica.Marshall@Delaware.Gov


 

Plan to Arrive Alive this Halloween

OHS increases DUI patrols October 29 – 31, 2021


 

[DOVER, Del.] October 27, 2021 — Spooky season is here. And while some people of all ages celebrate a good scare – the Halloween holiday can present a real danger.

Will just one more drink be one too many?In Delaware:

  • In 2020, there were 16 DUI-related crashes and 3 people were injured over the Halloween weekend.
  • In 2019, there were 14 DUI-related crashes over the Halloween holiday weekend, resulting in 2 injuries.
  • In 2018, there were 13 DUI-related crashes and 5 injuries.
  • 31% of all deadly crashes involve alcohol.

Nationally:

  • In 2019, 21 vehicle occupants and four pedestrians were killed in drunk driving crashes on Halloween night.
  • Adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (62%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night in 2019.
  • From 2015 to 2019, 126 people were killed in drunk driving crashes on Halloween night.
  • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2015 to 2019, 41% of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes on Halloween night were in crashes involving a drunk driver.

What we’re doing

The Office of Highway Safety encourages everyone to start the party right – with a plan.

“We want our community to have a fun night out on Halloween, but to also stay safe and make responsible choices. You should never put yourself, or others, at risk because you made the choice to drink and drive. Plan your safe ride home before you start the party,” says Kimberly Chesser, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians — whether they be children trick-or-treating or adults who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly.”

To help people stay safe this Halloween weekend, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is also teaming up with nearly 30 law enforcement agencies statewide to help remind drivers of the dangers of drunk driving. The extra DUI enforcement begins Friday, October 29th and runs through Sunday, October 31st.


Celebrate with a plan

It is never okay to drink and drive – so if you plan to drink, plan ahead for a sober driver to take you home. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver. And if it’s your turn to be the designated driver – take that role seriously and do not consume alcohol.

If you see an impaired driver on the road – contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone’s life.


DE OHS logoAbout the Delaware Office of Highway Safety

The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. Follow OHS on ArriveAliveDE.comFacebookTwitterInstagram, and Snapchat.


Virtual Halloween Costume Contest

Show off your costumes from home during Delaware’s virtual costume contest!

  • Share your Halloween costumes on social media with #SafeHalloweenDE through October 31st.
  • We’ll share some of our favorites on social media! Follow @JohnCarneyDE on Facebook and Instagram.

 

If your family plans to go trick-or-treating, please remember:
  • Keep a 6-foot distance from anyone not from your household
  • Wear a mask (costume masks don’t count)
Check out the Division of Public Health’s suggestions for families and communities to stay safe this Halloween: de.gov/halloween2020
 


Halloween DUI Checkpoint – Statewide Activation

OHS Activates Operation Checkpoint StrikeForce For All 3 counties This Weekend

Picture of Drive Sober, Arrive Alive DE

Dover, Del. (October 25, 2019) – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is coordinating Operation Checkpoint Strikeforce in each county statewide for Halloween weekend. This zero-tolerance initiative in Delaware, implemented since 2002, is designed to get impaired drivers off of our roads using checkpoints and patrols. The initiative also aims to educate drivers on the dangers and consequences of driving impaired including injury, death, and over $6,000 in fines (for the first DUI).

 

During Halloween Weekend, Delaware State Police and local law enforcement will be conducting DUI checkpoints in all three counties on Saturday, October 26th, into Sunday morning, October 27th, from 10 PM to 2 AM, as follows:

  • US-40 in Newark
  • US-13 in Dover
  • Sussex Highway in Seaford

So far in 2019, there are 16 confirmed DUI fatalities (note: this number is not final as there are crashes still under investigation for impairment).

“This year, Halloween falls on a Thursday, so we’re certain to see extra celebrations throughout this weekend, and everyone celebrating should plan to ensure a ride home,” said Kimberly Chesser, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “If you plan to drink, there are many options for a safe ride home. Have a friend designated as a sober driver, or use a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft.”

In addition to the Halloween Weekend Checkpoint Strikeforce, OHS wants to remind the public of best practices for a safe night on the roads this Halloween:

  • If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
  • Find a safe ride statewide from the OHS Safe Ride resource link https://www.arrivealivede.com/Drive-Sober/Safe-Rides#wilmington.
  • If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
  • Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely. They’re worth it.
  • For more information on the consequences of driving impaired, visit https://www.arrivealivede.com/Drive-Sober/Consequences.

You can follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety by clicking on:

Delaware Office of Highway Safety Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube Arrive Alive DE Channel

LinkedIn

Media Contacts:
Cynthia Cavett, Marketing Specialist II & Public Information Officer
Delaware Office of Highway Safety
Cynthia.Cavett@delaware.gov
302-744-2740

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About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com.

 


Keep Children Safe on Halloween

DOVER  – Halloween is one of the most dangerous days of the year for pedestrians, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. In Delaware, 23 pedestrians of all ages have died through Oct. 14 of this year, up more than 40 percent over the same point last year, according to the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

The Safe Kids Delaware Coalition reminds parents to take precautions to keep their children safe while trick-or-treating:
• Cross the street at corners and use crosswalks. Obey traffic signals and make sure vehicles are stopping before crossing.

• Look left, right, and left again when crossing. Keep looking as you cross.

• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up. Walk (do not run) across the street.

• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick or Treat with an Adult
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar, well-lit areas and to trick-or-treat in groups. While some cities and municipalities may set specific hours for trick or treating, Delaware does not have uniform trick or treat hours.

Keep Costumes Creative and Safe
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.

• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.

• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.

• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

The Safe Kids Delaware Coalition, an affiliate of SAFE KIDS Worldwide®, is a nonprofit organization established in 1989, comprised of volunteers dedicated to reducing unintentional childhood injury in children from birth to age 14. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) serves as the lead agency for Safe Kids Delaware.

For more safety tips on topics for children, visit https://www.safekids.org/. For more information about Safe Kids Delaware, visit: https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/ems/safekids.html.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.