Make this a safe Halloween night

Published 12:21 pm Thursday, October 29, 2015

A dark, rainy night and little masked marauders will present a challenge to drivers Saturday night. If you’ve forgotten, it’s Halloween.

Keep in mind that rain will likely be dampening this weekend and obscure your nighttime vision on area roads.

Two factors make the night extra dangerous for drivers: Revved up children as they go about their trick-or-treating may not pay attention to moving vehicles. Combine that with dark Halloween costumes and face masks that obscure their vision, you have an accident waiting to happen.

Drivers, here are a few reminders:

The first is obvious: slow down and drive with caution, especially in low-lit neighborhoods between the hours of 4 p.m. and midnight.

Better yet: if you can, avoid driving through neighborhoods. Sidewalks and streets will be filled with candy-craving kids.

For parents of trick-or-treaters, here are a few reminders:

Trick-or-treat as a group. Accompany your younger children.

Choose disguises that don’t obstruct vision. Add reflective material or tape to your kids’ costumes so they’ll be more visible to drivers.

Give a last-minute briefing to your trick-or-treaters. Review safety measures. And if you’re driving them to different locations, by all means have the kids exit and enter on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Other tips:

• Inspect candy for signs of tampering before eating.

• Avoid billowing or long-trailing fabric in costumes, as it can be a fire hazard.