Technology adds to Halloween safety

One of the most exciting times of the year is just around the corner. Halloween is a holiday for everyone to act like a kid.

Halloween and safety has long been an issue for parents and their kids. Parents constantly look for ways to keep their kids safe on the streets during this crazy night of ghouls and goblins. The most important thing to do before trick-or-treating is making sure to do your homework.

Not the kids, but the parents.

Before any trick-or-treating goes on, parents should look online to find safety tips for kids this year. One site in particular - www.halloween-safety.com - offers all sorts of tips for both children and adults, who may have a little too much fun on that particular night.

Costumes are obviously an essential part of Halloween. But the right costume may not always be the "cool" costume. Making some simple additions will ensure the child's safety.

Making sure the costumes are fire retardant and are bright enough to be seen are the main points school resource officer Scott Wilhelm, of the Carbondale Police Department, stresses. "The most important thing is to make sure that the kids can be seen after dark."

Adding flashing safety lights, like the ones used on a bicycle, or shoes that light up with each footstep, or even the household flashlight are things Wilhelm recommends for the safety of the child.

"Going after dark is not dangerous," he said. "But, being lit up is the most important thing."

He added that trick-or-treating in groups increases the visibility of the children too. But, if the child is of the age where a parent is no longer allowed to go with them, Wilhelm offers this advice.

"Teach your kids how '911' works and make sure they know to call it in case of an emergency," he said.

If parents aren't going to accompany the kids this year, make sure to arm them with a cellphone, along with the flashlight.

Halloween being a popular night for the adults too, Wilhelm advises, "If you are going to be drinking, make sure that you have a designated driver."

Police will be out in greater numbers on Oct. 31, and with the amount of kids out on the streets, he stressed the importance of making smart decisions.

"We will be out there patrolling, making sure that things are good to go," he said.

The biggest problem for the police last year was the amount of "unnecessary" traffic in the neighborhoods by parents following the kids around in the car.

"Parents should get out and be with the kids," he said. "Following them in the car does make it safer, but it also makes for a build-up of traffic."

Each year the police receive a larger number of nuisance calls, but last year was pretty normal. This year, Wilhelm doesn't expect anything out of the ordinary.

"It should be a pretty typical Halloween," he said. "The main thing is that the people need to know that the police will be out there to help them with anything."

When the kids get home, it is always a good idea for the parents to check the candy before they begin the chow down.

On halloween-safety.com, one idea is to make sure the kids have a good meal before going trick-or-treating. This will help the kids bring the candy home rather than eat it between stops.

Just remember, Halloween is about fun. It takes a few extra steps to keep it safe.



Contact John Gardner: 945-8515, ext. 16604

jgardner@postindependent.com

10 tips for a safe and happy Halloween

• Always travel in small groups, accompanied by an adult if under the age of 12.

• Refrain from dressing up in very long costumes and oversized shoes, which can easily cause them to trip.

• Walk, do not run, from house to house.

• Travel only in familiar neighborhoods.

• Only stop at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit. Remain on the porch and never enter a person's house.

• Wear reflective tape on costumes and bags so they are visible to traffic and other trick-or-treaters.

• Always walk on sidewalks. In neighborhoods with no sidewalks, always walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.

• Always cross streets as a group on established crosswalks.

• Whenever possible, use make up instead of masks. Besides

being uncomfortable, masks can obstruct a child's view of traffic, steps, and holiday decorations.

• Never eat candy before returning home and having a parent or responsible adult inspect it.

Source: Pop Rocks

• For additional holiday safety tips - ranging from carving pumpkins to preparing the kids for trick-or-treating - visit www.halloween-safety.com.