Strong Majority of Americans Believe in Safety Precautions for Children Trick-or-Treating

Washington, DC - A new Ipsos/McClatchy poll of Americans indicates strong agreement with taking safety precautions for children trick-or-treating.

Main Trick-or-Treating Concerns...

Overall, Americans are nearly unanimous in their agreement that children should not go trick-or-treating alone. More than nine in ten (95%) agree that parents should always accompany their children while trick-or-treating.

Thinking about other safety concerns, nearly nine in ten (86%) Americans agree that children should stay within their own neighborhood and only visit houses where they know someone. Finally, treats are still a concern for Americans. Eight in ten (81) agree that they are concerned about the safety of the treats children will get while trick-or treating.

But Concerns Don't Equate To Lack of Candy...

Even though Americans have some serious concerns about safety regarding trick-or treating, this doesn't mean they will be shutting their doors. A majority (56%) of Americans report they will be handing out treats at their door this Halloween.

Halloween Head Count...

Overall, nearly one quarter (23%) of Americans report they have a child under the age of 15 who will be trick-or-treating this Halloween. Only one in ten (8%) report they have a child under age 15 who will not be trick-or-treating.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos online poll conducted October 27-29, 2008. For this survey, a national sample of 1,111 adults from Ipsos' U.S. online panel was interviewed online. Weighting then was employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the U.S. adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls because they are based on samples drawn from opt-in online panels, not on random samples that mirror the population within a statistical probability ratio. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact: Clifford Young, PhD Senior Vice President Ipsos Public Affairs (312) 375-3328 [email protected]

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