Staying Safe This Halloween

Halloween is an enjoyable time of year for kids and adults alike. It’s fun to dress up, visit haunted houses and escape rooms, go on a local ghost tour, or party with friends. Traditionally, we focus on dangers for Trick-or-Treating kids, such as flammable costumes, walking in the dark, or overeating candy! However, there are also dangers for adults who enjoy the fun of dressing up and celebrating. Read on to review some important safety tips for Halloween.

Driving Under the Influence

Halloween is a time of partying and drinking that coincides with many children being out and about walking in the dark. This makes it especially important to be aware when driving and to consider the dangers of alcohol and drug use.

Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes—that’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2022, 13,524 people died in drunk-driving traffic deaths. A third of traffic fatalities nationally and in New York State involve alcohol-impaired drivers.  

October is designated National Pedestrian Safety Month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Halloween is a time to be particularly cautious, follow the speed limits, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

More tips on how to stay safe can be found in our blog on Alcohol and Impaired Driving: https://leafinc.org/blog/alcohol-impairment-and-prevention.

Drugged Drinks Facts and Prevention

According to the DEA, drugged drinks can pose a serious threat, often leading to dangerous situations such as assault or robbery. Drugs like GHB, Rohypnol, and ketamine are commonly used because they can incapacitate someone quickly, making them vulnerable. These substances are usually odorless, tasteless, and colorless. 

To protect yourself, always watch your drink, never accept drinks from strangers, and avoid communal drink containers like punch bowls. Watch out for friends and ask them to watch out for you. If you feel unusually intoxicated or drowsy after drinking, seek help immediately, as you may have been drugged.

Celebrate Halloween

Halloween celebrations can be a fun way to enjoy yourself as the nights get darker and days can be gloomy. If we all think ahead about potential dangers, then we can plan how to enjoy ourselves safely and responsibly.

If you or someone you know needs more information on alcohol use, please contact LEAF. If you’re going out, you can also download the Otsego County app to help you create a sober plan: https://stopdwi.org/initiatives-otsego.

Sources

DEA “Your Drink is Drugged,” https://www.justthinktwice.gov/article/your-drink-drugged

NIH (2024) “Alcohol's Effects on Health: Research-based information on drinking and its impact.” https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-related-emergencies-and-deaths-united-states

Red Cross (2019) “10 Ways to Help Keep Trick or Treaters Safe this Halloween,” https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/Red-Cross-Offers-Tips-For-Safe-Halloween-Fun.html

U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis (2024) https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813579

All sources accessed October 7, 2024.