LANCASTER – Lancaster Sheriff’s Station officials are again reminding everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Halloween this year and have issued the following tips to help ensure a safe trick-or-treat:
Walk safely
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Look left, right and left again when crossing, and continue to be aware of cars as you cross.
- Put electronic devices down, keep your head up, and walk, don’t run, across the street.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
- Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
- Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Drive extra safely
This time of year, daylight begins to shorten and visibility is affected. Sunset is normally expected around 6 p.m. in the Antelope Valley, and drivers are advised to be extra careful for pedestrians in the roadways.
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
- Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic, and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
Trick-or-treat safely
Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
- Keep costumes both creative and safe.
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
- Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct vision.
- Carry glow sticks or flashlights to be seen by drivers.
- When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
For additional safety tips go to http://www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips.