EDITORIAL: Safety first this Halloween

Published 8:00 am Saturday, October 30, 2021

As cases of COVID-19 continue to fall, Halloween will likely bring more fun and less fear and concern this year compared to last year. That doesn’t mean that safety shouldn’t be a factor, however. 

While there will be lots of candy and goodies up for grabs, the highest priority this year and every Halloween is safety. 

Perhaps the best way to ensure safety on Halloween is to attend a group, neighborhood or community event, such as a Trunk-or Treat. However, if you do plan on trick-or-treating in the evenings and walking from house to house, local authorities offer the following tips to ensure safety. 

•Children should stay within familiar areas and surroundings 

•Establish a route for children ahead of time. 

•Don’t let friends or family walk alone after drinking.

•Children out at night and under the age of 12 should have adult supervision.

•Kids should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.

•Decorate costumes with reflective tape and have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights.

•Always cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.

•Always walk on a sidewalk if one is available. 

Traffic experts advise motorists to watch for children walking along roadways and curbs, and to enter and exit driveways carefully. Also, at twilight and late evening, drivers should watch for children in dark clothing. 

•Slow down and be alert for walkers especially in residential areas.

Police encourage parents to either have bright colors on their kids’ costumes or add some type of reflective tape — to help drivers be aware of those out trick-or-treating. 

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, traffic counts on Halloween show that the holiday in Georgia is typically more hazardous for pedestrians. Here’s what it looks like by the numbers: 

•7.6 – The average number of pedestrian fatalities between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Halloween Night *

•6 p.m. – 9 p.m. – The hours when pedestrians are at the greatest risk on Halloween Night*

•75% of pedestrian crashes happen outside of the intersections or crosswalks and sidewalks

•28% of Halloween crash fatalities were pedestrians compared to 14% on an average day

Lastly, if you are planning on welcoming trick-or-treaters to your home, MPD advises you to follow these safety steps: 

•Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps. 

•Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over.

•Restrain your pets. 

•Light the area well so the young visitors can see. 

And although the most recent peak of COVID-19 appears to be flattening, please still take precautions. However you choose to observe Halloween this year, please be safe, practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently and sanitize. 

Let’s do our best to ensure that Halloween is safer and a little less scary for everyone.