Prioritize safety this Halloween

There’s a good chance your family is getting ready for the big night of the spooky season. Halloween is only two weeks away. While you’re figuring out the important details, like costumes and candy, we want you to also keep safety in mind, for you and your children, grandchildren and the trick-or-treaters you plan to welcome.

It’s pretty easy to get in the spirit of the season. What’s not to love about sweet treats, hand-picked disguises and a classic scary movie or ghost story around a campfire? Whether you’re all about savoring a candy apple, carving pumpkins, visiting haunted attractions or enjoying a hayride or weenie roast, there’s something to appeal to everyone this time of year.

Whatever your holiday plans, the usual Halloween safety advice always applies and is always worth repeating: When trick-or-treating or attending other afterdark events, carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags and wear light colors to help see and be seen, especially when near roadways.

Don’t let children younger than age 12 go trick-or-treating alone.

If older children are trick-or-treating alone, plan and review the route with them. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

While driving on Halloween night or in the vicinity of a Halloween festival or other seasonal event, slow down and be alert. Children might dart into the street, forgetting safety rules in their excitement. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot people from further away.

Remind children to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.

Don’t assume cars will stop to give way to you and your family as pedestrians – even if you are at a designated crosswalk. Motorists might have trouble spotting trick-ortreaters. Take extra care to cross roadways safely.

When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.

Be aware of allergen risks with any treats you or your children consume or hand out.

Trick-or-treating is a fun tradition, but don’t forget the many organized events planned for our area. A number of local churches will have fall festivals, carnivals and “trunk-or-treat” events. Be sure to send us the details for any events you know about so we can share them with the community.

Let’s make sure Halloween is safe and fun for everyone.