Visibility On Halloween Key To Safe Trick Or Treating

Visibility after dark on Halloween Weekend is important for kids, drivers and homeowners.

Sparta Police Chief Doug Goff said parents should bring light colored clothing or something reflective for trick or treaters to wear. Goff said that no matter which precautions you take, do not let kids get overcome with the excitement of Halloween.

“Making sure that motorists use extreme caution when driving their vehicles, especially during this time,” Goff said. “A lot of the younger children may be prone to run out in front of a car, their vision could be obscured by masks.”

Goff said that with Halloween falling on a Sunday, drivers should use caution throughout the weekend because families might go trick or treating on different days.

“Make sure that they (kids) have a flashlight if they’re out after dark,” Goff said. “We do encourage to get as much done before dark as possible because of the visibility.”

Goff said that any home wanting to give out candy needs to have its porch light on and provide a clear path to the porch. He said homeowners should make themselves visible to discourage any Halloween mischief or kids cutting through their yard.

“We need to be very cautious and very vigilant during that time,” Goff said. “I think another thing is telling our children not to get in the car with anybody else, don’t go between parked cars, just keeping an eye on the children, making sure they don’t try to take a shortcut through somebody’s backyard or maybe through a park or an alley.”

Goff said that when it comes to costumes, kids might have a hard time seeing their surroundings and need to stay away from open flames. He said the same reasoning applies to keeping kids costumes short, to prevent tripping and falling.