Trick-or-Treating on Halloween can be one of the most enjoyable days of the year for many children.
It should also be one of the safest.
Safe Kids Kansas, a nonprofit Coalition of more than 70 statewide organizations and businesses, offers these tips to help keep children safe as they go on their door-to-door quest for delicious treats this Halloween.
Tips for parents and kids
Safe Kids recommends that children under age 10 do not trick-or-treat without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to go trick-or-treating without supervision, make sure they go in a group and they stick to a predetermined route with good lighting. Parents must also remind kids to:
• Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Don’t assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk; don’t run, across the street.
• Walk on well-lit sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk in familiar areas with minimal street crossings.
• Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Tips for drivers
Drivers need to do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe from harm. Safe Kids reminds motorists to be extra careful this Halloween and recommends that drivers:
• Be especially alert. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30-9:30 p.m.
• Drive more slowly. Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual pedestrian traffic.
• Lights on. Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances.
As a community, we all need to do our part to make Halloween as safe as it is fun.
— Information from www.kdheks.gov.
PITTSBURG —
