Halloween Safety Bulletin

Sent: October 21, 2019

Halloween “Trick-or-Treating” in Kenilworth will take place on Thursday, October 31st, from after school until dusk.

Halloween can indeed be scary when children or drivers are engaging in unsafe practices.  Take this opportunity to speak with your trick-or-treaters about being safe this Halloween and the drivers in your household as well.  The following safety tips are provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Safety Council and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Children Should:

• Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches rather than entering houses.
  
• Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult.
• Know their phone number or carry a cell phone.
• Have their names and addresses attached to their costumes.
• Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.
• Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.
• Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
• Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where available) and do not cross between parked cars.
  
• Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
  
• Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.
  
• Consider using face paint instead of masks.  (Masks can obstruct a child’s vision)
  
• Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes.
  
• Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes or oversized shoes to prevent tripping.
  
• Be reminded to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

 
Halloween driving “tricks” to keep everyone safe:

• Don’t use a cell phone while driving through neighborhoods. A single distraction could lead to a tragedy.
  
• Stay well below the posted speed limit.
  
• Pay attention to what’s happening on sidewalks and roadways. Watch for children darting across streets, especially between parked cars.
  
• Be extra alert when pulling in and out of driveways.
  
• Do not assume children can see you or are paying attention. You need to take that responsibility.
  
• Drivers should also check that all lights on their car work.
  
• Do not pass other vehicles that have stopped in the roadway. They could be dropping off children.
  
• If you’re driving a group of children, but staying in the running vehicle at the curb, be sure to put on your hazard lights to alert other motorists.
  
• And if you’re driving to a Halloween party, put that mask on after you park the car.

Kenilworth Police Department
419 Richmond Road • Kenilworth, IL 60043
Phone: 847-251-2141 • FAX: 847-251-3445
www.vokil.org

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