Welcome to the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and thank you for taking the time to visit our web page. The cool, crisp weather is in the air, and summer is officially behind us. In just a few weeks, forty-eight states will turn the clocks back one hour, from daylight savings time to standard time, and we will slowly transition from fall to winter. However, prior to that, many Americans will celebrate Halloween by sending their little ones out to trick treat, trunk or treat, or stay home and pass out candy. Here are some tips to consider to keep you safe on Halloween
Statistics
- 175 million Americans plan to celebrate Halloween this year
- More than 41 million children will go trick or treating this year
- The average American will spend $86.79 on Halloween festivities
- 3.8 million children will dress as their favorite princess
- 20% of celebrators will dress their pet
- Box office earnings for horror movies exceeded 750 million dollars in 2019
- 6.9 million dollars has been spent on pumpkin spice products since the end of August
On a more serious note…
- Every year, approximately 7,450 pedestrians died in traffic or non-traffic incidents
- 18% of those deaths occurred at road crossings or intersections
- 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
Tips for Trick or Treating
- A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds
- If your older children are going alone, plan their route with them
- Agree on a specific time that they should return home
- Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car
- Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends
- Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home
- Children and adults should never walk while looking at their cell phones or electronic devices
- A responsible adult should inspect all candy prior to allowing anyone to eat it
- Any candy that is not in a wrapper or has a wrapper that has been tampered with should be discarded immediately
Tips for Motorists
- Avoid driving during Trick or Treat hours, if possible
- Slow down in residential areas and obey all traffic signs and signals
- Drive at least 5 MPH below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react to children who may dart into the street
- Don’t utilize your high beams as they make it difficult for on-coming traffic to see trick or treaters
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, curbs, sidewalks and streets with no sidewalks
- Watch for children crossing the street who cross mid-block or between parked cars
- Watch for trick or treaters who may dart from behind cars or other obstructions
- Carefully enter and exit driveways
- Don’t park in the street if you don’t have to
- Use extra caution when backing up
- Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible- even if the sun is still out
- Be Alert, Be Safe, Be Aware
- Have Fun!
In the next couple of weeks, the chapter has multiple events planned, some of which offer a virtual or in-person option. Don’t let the many benefits that ASSP has to offer pass you by! Regardless of the industry that you work in, ASSP has something for you. In addition, we are looking for assistance on one of our many committees. While many of our volunteers spend 8 or more hours per month, in their volunteer roles, many others spend less than 2 hours. Regardless of the commitment that you are able to make, your assistance is needed and appreciated. If you are interested in being more active in the chapter, please reach out to me directly. Thank for taking the time to visit the website for the Chesapeake Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals.
Ned Fitter
ASSP Chesapeake Chapter President