Home > Fact of the Week >Halloween Safety
 

10-18-2010

P
reparedness Facts of the Week
by Elizabeth Hall, Emergency Services Specialist - Kings County Office of Emergency Management
 
 
 
 
Fourteen days left until Halloween! Don’t have little ones trick-or-treating?
Well, this article is still for you!

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If you still have children young enough to go trick-or-treating, enjoy those times – it goes by so quickly. If you have already passed that time of your life, you still need to be aware of your surroundings. With so many on foot throughout the community, there is an increased potential for automobile-related accidents with young pedestrians. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), these accidents increase by four times on this night. Four times!

There are some areas where parents will drive their kids into subdivisions and let them out to walk from house to house while they follow along in the car. This can cause traffic jams in small areas on the streets. These drivers, even though they are driving slowly, are also distracted because they are keeping an eye on their own children and generally are not paying attention to much else. The children being so excited have a one-track mind, and that is knocking on as many doors as possible in a short amount of time getting as much candy as possible – safety is not their #1 priority at the moment.

With all this in mind, you should always stay on the defensive while driving, especially on this night. When you mix preoccupancy, a dark night, and many one-track minds, not to mention costumes with masks that block peripheral vision, that could lead to disaster!

 
 
Halloween Tips for Drivers:
 
 
     
  • For those who follow along in the car, how about parking the car and walking with your children. Not only is it safer for the children and the other vehicles on the road, it is a time in your kids’ life you don’t want to miss!
     
  • No cell phone use while driving!
     
  • Consistently scan the streets, intersections and crosswalks for trick-treaters. Children will also try to walk along the curbs and try to cut across when they think they can.
     
  • Always drive slower than the speed limit. You want to be able to stop at a moment’s notice if you have to.
  • Always drive slower than the speed limit. You want to be able to stop at a moment’s notice if you have to.
     
  • Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway. It’s possible that they are dropping off or picking up their children.
     
  • Finally, be patient! It’s only a few hours one night a year and many precious memories are being made. Remember? You remember.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Other Halloween Tips Links... Photos by Elizabeth Hall
 
 
   
 
 


 
 
 

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Do your part for safety awareness by passing this information along to anyone you can think of who would benefit.

Have a great week, and remember…… Be Responsible - Be Ready - Be Prepared!


Teaming Up for Emergency Preparedness
Elizabeth Hall


Office of Emergency Management

280 Campus Drive Hanford, CA 93230
(559) 582-3211, Ext. 2634

www.kingscountyoem.com
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