East Hillsborough News

Halloween is an exciting time for kids and adults – the delight of dressing up in a fun costume, all of the spooky decorations, and of course let's not forget the candy. To ensure you and your family enjoy a spooky, safe and good time this Halloween, check out these tips.

On the Trick-or-Treat trail

As a parent or caregiver, there are a few important things you can do to protect your trick-or-treaters on the Halloween trail.

• Light the way. Bring glow sticks or a flashlight with extra batteries so your trick-or-treater can see (and be seen) in the dark.
• Be visible. Put reflective tape on clothes, costumes, and trick-or-treat bags so your trick-or-treater can be seen by passing motorists.
• Use the crosswalk. Cross the street at a crosswalk or intersection. Never cross the street from between parked cars and don’t assume you have the right-of-way.
• Stay on the sidewalk. If available, use the sidewalk. Otherwise, walk on the shoulder facing traffic.
• Pay attention. Distracted walking can be as hazardous as distracted driving so watch where you are going.
• Review traffic safety. Talk to your trick-or-treater about basic traffic laws before leaving the house.

Driving on Halloween

• Remove distractions. Put your phone in the glove box or the back seat.
• Watch your speed. Pay attention to the speed limit and drive slower when you are around pedestrians.
• Be prepared to stop. Trick-or-treaters may ignore crosswalks and traffic signals so stay alert. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk – they may be stopped for a pedestrian.
• Do not drive under the influence. Every 51 minutes, one person in the United States dies in a motor vehicle crash that involves an alcohol-impaired driver.
• Properly buckle kids no matter how short the trip. Properly buckling children in their car seats, booster seats, and seat belts when transporting them and making sure that their costumes don’t interfere with them being properly buckled.

Practice Fire Safety

• Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns.
• When choosing costumes, stay away from the long trailing fabric.
• Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them.
• Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources.
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

Original source can be found here.