Halloween is fun enough, scary enough; This year, let's make sure it's safe

Halloween is always an exciting time of year. These days, I look forward to taking my grandchildren trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. It really is a magical time.

But, all that rushing from door to door to fill up plastic pumpkins and buckets can increase the risk of children darting into traffic. Or into the path of an oncoming car.

So, to make sure everyone has a fun and safe Halloween this year, our National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has put together a list of easy tips for everyone.

It will only take a minute to read them, and they could prevent a lifetime of regret:

• Motorists – Stay alert and, please,  SLOW DOWN.
  We all remember the thrill of rushing from one door to the next collecting loot. And we all know that kids aren’t always careful about looking both ways, especially when they’re trying to get to as many houses as possible. So let's take extra caution when driving this Halloween night.
• Parents – Help your kids be visible and prepared.
  Make sure your princesses, superheroes, and monsters have a flashlight, and consider putting reflective tape on costumes and treat bags. Brightly colored costumes are easier to see than dark ones, and the masks your children wear should not impair their field of vision. Most of all remind them to look not once or twice, but three times when crossing the street.
• Trick-or-Treaters – Please, watch where you’re going.
  I know you’ve heard it all before, but it’s even more important to be careful when you’re out after dark when cars have more difficulty seeing you. Make sure you look both ways--left and right, then left again--before crossing the street. Wear comfortable shoes, and make sure you aren’t tripping over your costume. And stay within sight of the grownups who are out with you. But, most of all, HAVE FUN!

Halloween is scary enough without the risk of injury or worse. Let’s all work together to make sure this year's Halloween is safe and fun for everyone.

Every Jedi warrior knows to carry a light saber after dark

Comments

[Celie]

Halloween is fun that is for sure but please parents, do be aware that we live in a different world these days. Go with your children, enjoy it all alongside them and disguise (for the child) the fact that you are there for their safety and not to join in the fun. Everything is different from when we were children so be safe with your, just do it and go with them. You never know, you might just enjoy it too.

[Aviator]

Those kids all look great in their costumes. I will be carrying extra flashlights for kids tonight!

[John Rouillard]

I live in Guernsey in the Channel Islands which is independent but has strong links to the United Kingdom. It is always said that whatever the UK does, Guernsey will most likely follow five years later. My concern is that the American tradition of Halloween has been promoted heavily in the UK, whereas not that many years ago it was somewhat unknown to most of us. If Guernsey is to follow after the normal five years, we can expect a similar situation here. I find this pernicious little event called Halloween very disturbing. Encouraging small children to visit strangers' doors at night begging for money, let's face it that's what they want rather than sweets, albeit accompanied by hopefully an adult, is a step too far in this day and age.
We had a similar practice in this country many years ago to celebrate Guy Faulkes night. This also entailed children visiting strangers' home at night asking for money accompanied by their Guy, a comical figure stuffed with paper and suchlike, this was known as a penny for the Guy, who would later be burned on the bonfire on November 5th. This practice has over many years been discouraged by the authorities because of the danger to children out on dark winter evenings, and is a rare site nowadays. Your Halloween night is an attempt by others in the hope of making money with childrens costumes and the like, without any consideration for the safety of those children.
I applaud your attempt to raise the safety issues of traffic and road crossing for those children, but please keep Halloween for yourselves in the USA. We have enough of those issues in our crowded island and Halloween will only add to these.

[Powerlifting Routine]

We had a great Halloween this year. Thanks to the DOT of Huntington Beach and the Police road blocks we had a record safe year :) now on to thanksgiving!

[Melinda Guard]

Thank you so much for being so concerned with the Halloween! Yes indeed, Halloween is totally fun for everybody especially for kids. You can see them dressed up in their scariest costumes. :D