Safety tips reminder

The spookiest night of the year is here once again and the city of Albany has once again designated official Halloween trick-or-treat hours to be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday night.

All parents are urged to observe those hours for your children to go door-to-door while trick-or-treating in Albany and the county as a whole.

Also, because Halloween falls this year on a weekend night, law enforcement will be out in force to make sure there are more treats than harmful tricks that are associated with the holiday and persons are reminded that such things as vandalism, setting illegal fires, etc. is a crime and will be prosecuted as such.

Once again, city government has taken an initiative to help make it a little safer for some youngsters on Halloween night by offering persons who may want to pass out candy and other treats to do so in a central location on the downtown square. To reserve a space for that, please call Albany City Hall at 387-6011.

Also again this year, Halloween will be observed as a remembrance to Aleigha Duvall, a youngster who was killed in a tragic vehicle/pedestrian accident in Albany while trick-or-treating a couple of years ago.

Not only is Halloween one of the most fun nights of the year for many children, it can also be one of the most dangerous and stressing safety precautions never becomes outdated.

The following are some measures that can be used for children, teens, and adults that can help keep Halloween not only a fun night for kids, but a safe one as well.

Halloween safety tips

for grown-ups:

– If you take your kids to a sponsored event, like a safe Halloween thrown by your church or community center, make sure to keep an eye on them at all times. Even though it seems less dangerous, you are still in a strange environment full of people you don’t know. All it takes is a minute with your back turned to find your child gone.

– Cell phones are everywhere now! Everyone seems to have one, they can be so affordable. Make sure that your child has a pre-programmed phone with him/her if they go out on Halloween night! Make sure that all important numbers are already there and ready for use.

Below are some common sense tips that can help adults keep kids safe.

– Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren’t going with them. Let them know that they are to check in with you every hour and not to deviate from the planed route so that you always know where they will be.

– Trick-or-treating isn’t what it used to be. In most cities, it’s not safe for kids to walk the streets by themselves. Your best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with them. If you can’t take them yourself, see if another parent can.

– Help your young child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure that it’s fire proof or treated with fire retardant. If they are wearing a mask of any kind, make sure that the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision.

– Make sure you set a time that your kids should be home. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time or call immediately if something happens and they are going to be delayed.

– Kids will be kids. Explain to kids of all ages the difference between tricks and vandalism. Throwing eggs at a house may seem funny but they need to know the other side of the coin as well, that clean-up and damages can ruin Halloween for everyone. If they are caught vandalizing, make them clean up the mess they’ve made.

– Serve your kids a filling meal before trick-or-treating and they won’t be as tempted to eat any candy before they bring it home for you to check.

– Make sure if your child is carrying a prop, such as a scythe, butcher knife or pitchfork, that the tips are smooth and flexible enough not to cause injury if fallen on. Make sure the costumes won’t get in the way when they are walking, which could cause them to trip.

– Be sure to show your children how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways before crossing and only cross at corners or crosswalks. Make sure if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.

Halloween safety

for kids and teens:

– Never, ever go into a stranger’s house or even ring their door for treats unless your parents are with you and say that it’s okay.

– If you are an older kid or young teen, and going with friends, make sure your parents know where you are going and who you are going with.

– If you can drive and are taking a bunch of friends to a party, make sure that you have enough gas to get there.

– If your parents give you a curfew, be home when they say. It builds trust between you and them and they are doing it for your own safety. If you are going to be late, call them and let them know.

– Vandalism is never cool! Throwing eggs at cars and houses is not cool. Someone has to clean it up and it could be you, if you get caught. You can also be arrested and punished as a juvenile. So, don’t think it’s fun only if you can get away with it. It’s never the right thing to do! Think about how you would feel if someone did that to your house and how bad it would make you feel.

– Hurting animals is never acceptable behavior! Some people use Halloween as an excuse to hurt cats and that is just wrong! Not only is it illegal in most places to hurt or torture animals and punishable by law, you should never hurt a helpless living thing.

Halloween safety tips

for trick-or-treating:

– Children should always go trick-or-treating accompanied by a responsible adult and stop only where porch lights are on. If you have a group of kids going, the parents should choose two or three of them to go along and keep an eye on things.

– Some towns set a curfew for trick-or-treating which makes it easier for townsfolk to know who’s coming to their door. Make sure and stick to the curfew times and stick to subdivision and areas with a lot of homes so your kids can get in as much trick-or-treating as possible in a few hours time.

– Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times. Set a time for them to be home. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves. Make sure that they have a cell phone.

– Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields if they are out alone. Make sure they know to stay in populated areas and not go off the beaten path and stay in well-lit areas with lots of people.

– Instruct your child never to go into the home of a stranger or get into their car.

– Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

– Let them know that they should stay together as a group if going out trick-or-treating without an adult.

Halloween costume safety:

– You should only purchase costumes made of flame retardant material. If they are home made, make sure you use fabrics that are inherently flame resistant, such as nylon or polyester.

– Try to work reflector strips into your child’s costume, a flash light or light stick to make them more visible at night.

– Make sure your costume fits properly to avoid any accidents like tripping over a long dress or cape. Make sure that it is comfortable since it will probably be worn for several hours. Do not include high heel shoes or long dangling pieces of costumes that could be tripped over.

– If carrying a prop such as a scythe or sword, make sure they are made out of a flexible plastic that will bend if fallen on.

– Be sure to pre-test any makeup you plan to use by applying a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it for about 30 minutes a couple of days in advance. If a rash, redness, swelling, or any other signs of irritation develop where the makeup is applied, it could be a sign of a possible allergy or adverse reaction.

– If a mask is worn, make sure that eye holes are big enough to see not only in front but peripherally as well.

– If going out with a group, choose to make the costume a unique one, so it can be spotted easily in a crowded area. Use flashing lights or jewelry to stand out.

– If you are wearing a mask, make sure it is comfortable, has adequate eye holes and proper ventilation.

Halloween safety tips

for drivers:

– Halloween is a wonderful holiday, but because of increased foot traffic and that trick-or-treaters are out at night, the potential for automobile related accidents with young pedestrians increase four times on this night according to a CDC (Centers for Disease Control) study.

– Children and adults tend to be preoccupied and may not pay as much attention to safety as they should. They may not see your vehicle or just assume that you see them automatically. Stay on the defensive and you shouldn’t have a problem while driving on Halloween night.

– Don’t use a cell phone or other electronic device while driving on Halloween night.

– Pay extra attention, especially at crosswalks, intersections and the side of the road. Kids tend to walk along the curbs, cutting across the street to get to other homes. Keep scanning all around as you drive, whether as thru-traffic or along with your kids as they trick-or-treat.

– Drive below the posted speed limit in residential areas during trick-or-treating hours.

– Instruct your child to never get into the car of a stranger. It might be easy for your child to mistake someone else’s car with your car with the excitement of Halloween.

– It’s also a night that child predators are looking for victims. Let your child know that they should never get into the care of a stranger at any time. If someone stops them and asks for help or offers them candy, tell them to scream as loud as they can and run.

– Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars. Let them know if they carry a flashlight to never shine it in the eyes of a driver. This can cause blindness on the drivers part temporarily and they may not see your child.

– If you are dropping off or picking up your kids in an area, pull off the road into a safe spot and turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists. If you go with your kids from door-to-door, leave the hazard lights on so other drivers can see your car parked there.

Have a fun and safe

Halloween!