MEDIA RELEASE

Children of all ages look forward to the Halloween season but we would also like to make sure that they are kept safe to enjoy the festivities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly four times as many children ages 5-14, are killed while walking on Halloween evening than other time of the year. Here are some tips for staying safe while having fun:

Trick or Treaters

• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Carry flashlights to see and be seen.
• Use reflective tape or stickers on bags or costumes.
• Cross the street only at corners, using crosswalks when available.
• Walk on sidewalks. If no sidewalks are available, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Use face paint or makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct vision.
• Avoid costumes that are so long that they become a tripping hazard.
• Only visit homes that have a porch light on.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s house.
• Be cautious of strangers and animals.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating.

Motorists

• Be especially careful in residential areas by slowing down and looking for keiki on roadways, on median and curbs.
• Watch for keiki darting out from between parked cars.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• If you are drinking this evening, don’t drive – make sure you have a reliable, licensed designated driver before you start drinking!