Trick-or-Treat!

So you've already put together a great, visible costume for your young trick-or-treaters right? If not you can find some tips on how to make Halloween costumes more noticeable to motorists in my last post.  

Now that your costumes are safe to go out in, it’s important to make sure your kids are practicing safe trick-or-treating. Educate children on which houses to go to, proper street-crossing techniques, etc. so they have an
                                                      enjoyable and safe Halloween!

Click here for a Halloween safety game and read on for more tips.

• Always make sure an adult is supervising the trick-or-treaters.
• Older children traveling without a parent should travel in a group and have a pre-planned safe route and a curfew.
• Explain to children the difference between tricks and vandalism.
• Only go to houses with the outside lights on.
• Remind children to never enter a stranger's home.
• Tell your children that all of the candy needs to be inspected before they taste any. 
• Remind children to walk on sidewalks, cross only at corners, and to stay away from parked cars.
• Remove hazards from your own yard, steps, and porch.
• Place jack-o-lanterns and candles where they cannot be knocked over or reached by children.
• Use electric candles for a similar effect with less risk.
• Carry a flashlight and use it.

Have a happy Halloween! Don't eat too much candy = )

Halloween Costumes

Halloween is just sixteen days away! Maybe less depending on when you’re reading this post…

I just love this time of year! Scary movies, carving pumpkins, a plethora of candy, and the list goes on and on. My absolute favorite part about Halloween is the costumes though. Young trick-or-treaters look absolutely adorable and there are a few cute pet costumes too. As much as this is a holiday for children I’d say some adults enjoy it quite a bit. Aside from actors, clowns, and other children entertainers how many people can really dress up as anything                                                     they want without being frowned upon?

Whether you’re putting together a costume for an infant, teen, or adult it’s important to make sure the outfit is functional and safe to trick-or-treat in. Keep some of the following tips in mind when designing your costumes this year. If you've already planned your Halloween look it’s never too late to make a few modifications!

COSTUME TIPS:

• Costumes should be bright and light enough to be clearly visible to motorists.
• Add reflective tape to costumes as a precaution.*
• Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent tripping and snagging on decorations.
• Try to purchase/make costumes that are fire resistant. 
• Make sure your child can see out of their mask.
  Masks should be properly fitted to prevent slipping over their eyes.

*Reflective tape can be found at most locations that sell Duct tape.

Happy designing! If you've created a safe costume this Halloween or in past years feel free to share a photo below or on the USC's Facebook page!

The Importance of Being Neutral

Fun fact: The first six months after getting a license are the most dangerous
               times for any driver.

I can definitely attest to that statement. I have been a licensed driver for five years now and the only accident I have ever been in was within four months of passing the test. Not all car crashes can be prevented but mine could have been easily avoided. Being a new driver, I overlooked a simple step that would have saved me some money and embarrassment.

Here’s the story:

My high school had a one mile driveway that connected to the main road. At this time I drove a car that lacked cup holders and while going around the one curve my breakfast shake fell under my feet. I was extremely anxious because I was afraid the can would get stuck under my brake pedal and put me in a dangerous situation so, when the light turned red, I reached under the steering column to pick it up. While I was bending down my foot came off of the brake and I felt the car start to creep forward. I slammed on the brake pedal and almost immediately collided into the vehicle in front of me. I was still under the steering wheel so I had no idea if I had been hit or hit someone else. Apparently when I tried to brake I slammed on the gas instead! The light had turned green which put some distance between me and the car in front of me so I had reached a decent speed before the collision which dented both of our bumpers.

How could I have avoided this accident you ask? All I had to do was shift my car into neutral or park. After the accident, several of my friends had shared their own stories about their foot coming off of the brakes when they reached for something. Although we all had great driving instructors there was still a lot we needed to learn that only experience could teach us.

So learn from my mistake and hopefully you won’t repeat it. Tell all of the new drivers you know how important it is to put your car in park or neutral when reaching for something                                  in the vehicle.