Lawrence Journal-World public safety reporter Caitlin Doornbos will have more Halloween safety information in an article on Saturday. When children are done trick-or-treating, parents should check candy to be sure any packaging isn’t open or tampered with.
Advertisement
Make sure the outdoor lights are on. “We tend to walk around dusk and nighttime so the more visible we are the better”.
Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls, and other bumps in the night.
Officer Tinsley also suggests children might want to eat their candy right away, but try and make sure to have them wait until they are home so parents can check all of it to make sure it is safe. Children over age 10 should be with at least two friends and stick together the entire evening. Families should stay within neighborhoods they know and only go up to homes that have their outdoor light on.
“I think we should trick-or-treat Saturday, because it doesn’t matter if it rains, I’m going, I’m just going”, said Megan Bergeron, who was buying costumes with her sisters.
For more tips on how to stay safe during Halloween, go to safekids.org.
Fatal accidents involving children crossing streets increase four and a half times on Halloween night, according to numerous studies over the past few years.
A word of caution for those who use makeup: make sure to test it on your child’s skin before the big day. Awareness is key on everyone’s part to make this Halloween a safe and enjoyable one for everyone both young and young at heart.
Look in ALL directions before crossing; obey all traffic signals; walk and NEVER run.
Our responsibility is the safety of these children.
Check costumes. Choose disguises that don’t obstruct vision; opt for non-toxic face paint instead of masks.
Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., so drivers should be especially alert for kids during those hours.
Advertisement
– Consider organized events as an alternative to trick or treating. Police say if you plan to hand out candy at home. Older children should always travel in groups. Red Cross recommends never walking or hiding between parked cars.
