Thursday, October 25, 2007
Halloween Tips
Halloween will be observed in Pike and Mingo Counties on Tuesday, Oct, 30th from 6pm-8pm. The flowing are safety tips for motorists, children and homeowners.
For Motorists
Don’t drive impaired by drugs or alcohol
Stay alert for increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic on Halloween night
Be patient and slow down. Give children plenty of time to cross the street.
Excited kids may forget to stop, look and listen before crossing the street.
Drive defensively . Don’t assume that a pedestrian will move in a predictable manner.
Be extra cautious in areas where vehicles are parked along the side of the street. Trick or treaters may dart into traffic from between parked cars.
Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
Also watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks. Also watch for children walking on medians and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
For Parents and Caregivers
Trick or treaters should carry flashlights or glow sticks.
Dress children in costumes that are light-colored and clearly visible to motorists.
Costumes should be no longer than ankle-length to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
Use face paints or make up rather than masks that could impair vision.
Wear light colored clothing or add reflective tape to costumes and trick or treat bags.
Children should wear comfortable , well fitting, sturdy shoes.
Children should wear flame resistant costumes. Avoid paper costumes.
Younger children should be accompanied by an adult.
Older children should stay in a group.
Avoid capes that could pose strangulation risks by getting caught on structures or yard decorations your child may encounter.
Make sure props such as swords, scythes, pitchforks, spears, wands or knives are flexible with smooth or rounded tips to prevent eye injuries if fallen upon.
If driving children to trick or treat, make sure they exit vehicle on the curb side and not the traffic side.
Instruct your children not to eat any candy until they bring it homeand you examine it thoroughly..
Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard while wearing a costume.
Secure identification ( name, address, phone number) on or within a child’s costume.
Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they become lost or have an emergency.
For Trick or Treaters
*Don’t assume the right of way when crossing a street. Motorists may have trouble seeing you.
Be very cautious of strangers.
Trick or treaters should only visit houses that have porch lights on
Never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle.
Stay on well lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
Never cut across yards or use alleys
Don’t run. Always walk when crossing streets or going from house to house.
Cross streets only at corners and crosswalks.
Remove mask or any item restricting eyesight before crossing streets.
Cover one side of the street at a time no crisscrossing.
Don’t play near jack-o-laterns, the candle inside could start a fire.
Stay with the adult who is leading the group.
Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.
For Homeowners
Turn on your porch light
Eliminate tripping hazards on your porch, yard and walkway.
Remove wet leaves from steps and sidewalks.
Use battery powered jack-o-latern candles or light sticks. If candles are used . place pumpkin away from area where children will be walking or standing.
Never drape a fabric ghost or other decoration over a light bulb
Make sure that paper or cloth lawn decorations do not blow into a burning candle.
Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords with lighting or special effects.
Pets can be frightened by Halloween activities. Restrain them or bring them indoors to protect them from cars or from accidentally hurting trick or treaters.
For Motorists
Don’t drive impaired by drugs or alcohol
Stay alert for increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic on Halloween night
Be patient and slow down. Give children plenty of time to cross the street.
Excited kids may forget to stop, look and listen before crossing the street.
Drive defensively . Don’t assume that a pedestrian will move in a predictable manner.
Be extra cautious in areas where vehicles are parked along the side of the street. Trick or treaters may dart into traffic from between parked cars.
Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
Also watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks. Also watch for children walking on medians and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
For Parents and Caregivers
Trick or treaters should carry flashlights or glow sticks.
Dress children in costumes that are light-colored and clearly visible to motorists.
Costumes should be no longer than ankle-length to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
Use face paints or make up rather than masks that could impair vision.
Wear light colored clothing or add reflective tape to costumes and trick or treat bags.
Children should wear comfortable , well fitting, sturdy shoes.
Children should wear flame resistant costumes. Avoid paper costumes.
Younger children should be accompanied by an adult.
Older children should stay in a group.
Avoid capes that could pose strangulation risks by getting caught on structures or yard decorations your child may encounter.
Make sure props such as swords, scythes, pitchforks, spears, wands or knives are flexible with smooth or rounded tips to prevent eye injuries if fallen upon.
If driving children to trick or treat, make sure they exit vehicle on the curb side and not the traffic side.
Instruct your children not to eat any candy until they bring it homeand you examine it thoroughly..
Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard while wearing a costume.
Secure identification ( name, address, phone number) on or within a child’s costume.
Teach children their home phone number and how to call 9-1-1 if they become lost or have an emergency.
For Trick or Treaters
*Don’t assume the right of way when crossing a street. Motorists may have trouble seeing you.
Be very cautious of strangers.
Trick or treaters should only visit houses that have porch lights on
Never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle.
Stay on well lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
Never cut across yards or use alleys
Don’t run. Always walk when crossing streets or going from house to house.
Cross streets only at corners and crosswalks.
Remove mask or any item restricting eyesight before crossing streets.
Cover one side of the street at a time no crisscrossing.
Don’t play near jack-o-laterns, the candle inside could start a fire.
Stay with the adult who is leading the group.
Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.
For Homeowners
Turn on your porch light
Eliminate tripping hazards on your porch, yard and walkway.
Remove wet leaves from steps and sidewalks.
Use battery powered jack-o-latern candles or light sticks. If candles are used . place pumpkin away from area where children will be walking or standing.
Never drape a fabric ghost or other decoration over a light bulb
Make sure that paper or cloth lawn decorations do not blow into a burning candle.
Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords with lighting or special effects.
Pets can be frightened by Halloween activities. Restrain them or bring them indoors to protect them from cars or from accidentally hurting trick or treaters.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 6:00 PM 
