Nassau Officials Offer Halloween Safety Tips

With Halloween coming up on Tuesday, Nassau County officials are reminding local parents, children and drivers to stay safe this holiday.

With daylight hours getting shorter, children are more likely to be trick-or-treating in the dark when it is more difficult for drivers to see them.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, across the U.S. the number of deaths among young pedestrians increases 4.5 times on Halloween evening.

Children who are out Trick-or-Treating also tend to cross streets at mid-block rather than at corners or crosswalks, putting them at risk for pedestrian injury.

Officials also advise drivers to be on particular alert.

The Nassau County Police Department will be intensifying patrols, utilizing marked and unmarked vehicles to look out for property damage and other potential unlawful incidents.

However you can stay safe by checking out the following safety tips for this Halloween:

Tips for Trick-or- Treaters:

• Trick-or-Treat by going to all houses on one side of the street, cross at the corner, and then go down the other side, thereby minimizing the amount of time spent dashing across dark streets.
• Trick-or-Treat in groups, in well-lit neighborhoods and stay on the sidewalk.
• Obey traffic signals and don't cut across yards or driveways.
• Carry a flashlight and make sure costumes are bright and don't drag on the ground.
• Wear shoes that fit and avoid wearing masks that obstruct your vision.
• Stay away from strangers, and animals you don't know.
• Young children should be accompanied by an adult.
• Older children not being escorted by an adult should carry a cell phone and have in their possession some form of identification. It is suggested they wear a watch that can be read in the dark.

Tips for Parents:

• Parents should have a detailed description of what their children are wearing and know exactly where their children are going.
• Taking a photo of child on a phone is also advisable. Always advise children at what time to be home and where parents can be reached.

Tips for Homeowners:

• Make sure your yard is clear of ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flowerpots that can trip Trick-or Treaters.
• Pets get frightened on Halloween, so keep them inside to protect them from inadvertently biting a Trick-or- Treater.
• Battery powered Jack O'Lantern candles are preferable to real flames.

Tips for drivers:

• Be especially alert. Children are excited and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours are during the typical rush-hour period between 5:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
• Drive slowly. Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual pedestrian traffic.
• Full headlights should be on so that children can be spotted from greater distances.
• Reduce distractions such as talking on the telephone or eating.
• Slow down, come to a complete stop at all stop signs, and proceed with extreme caution.

Although pedestrian safety is a main concern on Halloween, parents also need to keep in mind that there are other hazards for their children on this holiday.

For more tips on how to keep kids safe while walking on Halloween and throughout the year, visit http://www.usa.safekids.org and search Halloween.

Patch Graphic: Kristin Borden