CHI Health Issues Halloween Safety Alert

KEARNEY & GRAND ISLAND, NE – With Halloween falling on a Saturday, CHI Health Good Samaritan and CHI Health St. Francis are urging the community to practice extra caution. Hospital officials note that the combination of busier weekend crowds and the popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters can create a high-risk environment for trick-or-treaters.

“Saturday night will be a concern with increased pedestrian traffic,” said Mindy Walters, RN, Trauma Prevention Coordinator at CHI Health St. Francis. “We’re especially concerned about electric bikes and scooters. In our ER, we are seeing a dramatic surge in really severe e-ride injuries. These aren’t mere toys, they are heavy, high-powered vehicles that travel fast, making them hard for drivers to spot in the dark and capable of inflicting serious harm on pedestrians.”

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that pedestrian fatalities jump a startling 43 percent on Halloween night. Children ages 4-8 are particularly vulnerable, facing a risk 10 times higher of being hit by a vehicle than on any other day. 

Safety Tips for a Safe Halloween:
-Visibility is Non-Negotiable: Wear bright/reflective costumes; use flashlights, glow sticks or LED strips.
-Pedestrian Rules: Stay on sidewalks, use crosswalks, and never dart between parked cars.
-Drivers: Slow down in residential areas and eliminate all distractions.
-Park the E-Rides: CHI Health Good Samaritan strongly advises against using e-bikes or e-scooters during trick-or-treating hours due to limited visibility and heavy foot traffic.

“After a late night, our goal is to see every family head home with bags full of candy and zero trips to the ER,” said Tracy Rademacher, RN, Trauma Prevention Coordinator at CHI Health Good Samaritan. “It’s crucial for everyone to be extra vigilant and take preventative measures. A little planning can go a long way.”

🎃 Halloween Safety Tips

Statistically, children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other day. 

👣 For Trick-or-Treaters
-Cross Smart: Always use corners or crosswalks. Look left-right-left and make eye contact with drivers before stepping out.
-Heads Up: Put cell phones away. Walk—don’t run—across the street.
-Stay Visible: Use sidewalks. If there are none, walk on the far left facing oncoming traffic.
-Parked Cars: Never enter the street from between parked vehicles. Watch for reversing cars.

🛡️ Parent & Caregiver Tips
-Costume Safety: Use light colors, reflective tape, or stickers. Ensure costumes fit well to prevent tripping.
-Face Paint: Choose non-toxic (ensure non-toxic designation) face paint or makeup instead of masks that can block vision.
-Light it Up: Give kids flashlights or glow sticks. Warning: The liquid inside glow sticks is hazardous; ensure children do not chew on or break them.
-Supervision: Accompany children under 12. Have older kids travel in groups in familiar areas.

🍬 Candy Safety
-Inspect Before Eating: Check treats for tampering, only keep sealed items in original wrappers, and remove allergen risks.
-Choking Hazards: Remove hard candies, gum, peanuts, or small toys before giving treats to young children.
-Allergy-Friendly Options: Provide non-food treats/trinket options. Swap for non-allergic treats.

🚗 Driver Alert: Slow Down
-Stay Alert: Residential zones are high-traffic areas on Halloween.
-Eyes Peeled: Watch intersections, medians, and curbs. Be extra cautious in driveways and alleys.
-Early Lighting: Turn your headlights on earlier than usual to spot costumes in the dark.
-No Distractions: Put your phone away.

⚠️ E-Ride Advisory (E-Scooters, E-Bikes)
-ERs across the nation are seeing a significant increase in severe injuries related to e-rides including fractures, brain bleeds, neck trauma. E-rides are heavy, high-speed machines—not toys. They pose significant risks to the riders as well as pedestrians, especially in crowded, dark streets milling with excited children darting in and out. 
-Avoid E-Rides: An ideal minimum age for independent e-riders is 16. It is best to skip them on Halloween.
-Increased Speed: E-rides can reach speeds of 28 mph. Leaving e-riders and motorists with less reaction time and shorter stopping distances. Visibility is extremely important–light colored clothes, reflectors, lights.
-Helmets: If an e-ride must be used, a properly fitted helmet, rated for the expected speed of impact is non-negotiable. Standard bike helmets often fail at higher speeds. 
-Entanglement Hazard: Long capes, loose fabrics, or props can get caught in wheels, chains, and brakes.
-Pedestrians: E-rides are quiet and fast, giving pedestrians less reaction time to step aside.