Woolworths.co.uk and the Department for Transport issue tips for safe trick or treating

Traipsing around the neighbourhood pestering people for sweets and chocolate is the highlight of Halloween for children but with the evenings getting darker kids  may be putting themselves at risk on the road.

To keep children safe on the streets, online retailer Woolworths.co.uk has teamed up with the Department for Transport to create ten safety tips. Woolies will also be giving away a free ‘Be Bright Be Seen’ clip-on reflector with every fancy dress order from October 12 until 31 October.

Here are the top tips from Woolies and the DfT if you’re trick or treating this October:

1.       Plan your route: map out a trick or treating track choosing residential areas that are safe and well lit.  Keep on pavements and find the safest places to cross

2.       Set off early: the clocks go back the week before Halloween, so it will be dark by five.  Don’t leave it later to venture out and plan to be home within the hour

3.       Get Reflective: add reflective accessories to bikes and outfits.  These help children stand out after dark.  Woolworths.co.uk is giving away a free  clip-on reflector with all fancy dress items sold from the 12th of October

4.       Lighten up: If children are cycling at night the law says that bikes must be fitted with clean, working lights – white at the front and red at the back – and a rear reflector

5.       Take a torch: stick it in a lantern or inside a pumpkin head for maximum creepiness combined with visibility

6.       Be a pumpkin, a zombie, a skeleton or a ghost: orange stands out in dim light and so do bright white sheets, white ‘bandages’ and white ‘bones’

7.       Be bright, be seen: face paints and fluorescent accessories will help adults and children to be seen – providing they are combined with reflective bands (remember fluorescents are only visible before sundown)

8.       Bring a mummy: (or any responsible grown up!) and make them dress up to add to the fun

9.       Be street savvy: visit www.direct.gov.uk/talesoftheroad for road safety tips told in a way that children will enjoy

10.   Stick together: don’t go off on a solo mission

11.   Stop.  Look and listen: as simple as this sounds, it can be easy to forget – especially when munching through a bag of Halloween treats.  Remember never to cross the road while texting or using a mobile phone