With Halloween approaching this Saturday, neighborhoods will be teeming with festivities, food and fun. To help make the holiday a safe and enjoyable one for all, please remember to keep the following safety tips in mind when going about your evening or planning out your "trick or treat" fun:
Motorists
- Stay alert. Neighborhoods that don't normally have a lot of pedestrian and bicycle traffic may experience an increase on Halloween night. Remember that kids will be excited and may forget to "stop, look and listen" before they cross the street. Be particularly cautious in areas where cars are parked along the side of the street.
- Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
- Be patient and SLOW DOWN. Give children lots of time to cross the street. Their costumes may impair their ability to see and hear you, therefore making it more difficult for children to get out of your way quickly.
Parents and Caregivers
- Purchase or make costumes that are light-colored and clearly visible to motorists.
- Decorate or trim costumes, "goody bags," and other containers with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Reflective tape can be purchased at bicycle, hardware and sporting goods stores.
- Make sure costumes are short enough so they don't cause children to trip or fall. Children should also wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
- Masks should not impair a child's hearing or field of vision. If necessary, enlarge ear and eye holes, or use makeup to create special effects. Tie hats and scarves securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
