Untitled Document

Watch out for ghosts, goblins this Halloween

On Halloween night, the combination of darkness, the increased number of children on the streets and motorists can create a dangerous situation. To help reduce risks for young pedestrians, AAA Oregon/Idaho suggests these basic Halloween safety tips.

Drive slower than posted speed limits. Children dart from house to house, excited about candy collection and often forget about traffic and other dangers. Look for children around porches, front lawns and other remote areas -- not just on the sidewalks.

Parents should walk with children showing them safe places to cross the street.
Children and parents should wear light colored clothing or costumes with reflective material or tape for the best driver visibility.
Children should carry a flashlight to be seen, but they must not shine the flashlight into a driverÅås eyes.
Trick-or-treaters should walk facing traffic if there is no sidewalk available.
Parents should create a map of the neighborhood and plan the safest trick-or-treating route, including only familiar neighborhoods. Trick-or-treaters should go only to houses that are well lit.

Use face paint instead of masks for Halloween costumes. Masks can make it difficult to see and hear oncoming traffic.

Consider a Halloween party or mall trick-or-treating as safe alternatives to the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating.

* * * * * *

A news story on the PRNewswire this week offers the following additional Halloween safety tips from the American Red Cross:

Everyone should follow the “Lucky 13”

Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween's greatest hazards aren't vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions. The Red Cross wants your family to have a safe Halloween so we're providing these tips, the Lucky 13:

Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!
From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!
If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don't go inside.
When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.
Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, skateboards and brooms!)
Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.
As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look ways before crossing the street! (And cross from the corner!)
Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!
Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn't a safety gamble!
You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (And don't hide between parked vehicles).
Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!
You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.
Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you're done -or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.