Valley cities offer Halloween safety tips for parents, kids, drivers

PHOENIX – The Halloween witching hour is actually pretty early for trick-or-treaters in Arizona and all around the country.

The most popular hours for candy and goodies collecting for little monsters and superheroes alike are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and the earlier hours are prime drive time.

Municipal staffs and first responders from the Valley have compiled best practices that should help guarantee the creepiest, candy-grabbingest night of the year, which falls on Thursday this year, ends with everyone safe at home.

Road safety

Phoenix’s recommendations include tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

• • Trick-or-treaters should never run, whether to cross the road or go house to house. And don’t ever cross a street or road from between parked cars.
  • Drivers shouldn’t pass stopped vehicles – children could be getting out.
  • Glendale Police noted on Nextdoor the trick-or-treaters should stick to the sidewalk or the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe while on foot.

Personal safety

• Children should travel in small groups with an adult.
• Only go to houses that are well-lit and stay outside at all times.
• Don’t let anyone you don’t know into your house.
• Carry a cellphone to call 911 in case of an emergency.

Costume safety

Tempe decision makers and first responders suggest:

• Trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights or have glow sticks attached to the fronts and backs of their costumes.
• Make sure the costume doesn’t drag – avoid wearing long, baggy or loose clothing or oversized shoes that could cause tripping.
• Wear face paint instead of masks for better vision.

Food safety

Banner Health advises parents/guardians teach their child to politely decline homemade snacks such as cupcakes and brownies, and never to taste or share another child’s food.

Peoria has warned against taking candy that is loosely wrapped, unwrapped or has punctured wrapping.

Phoenix Fire recommended holding off eating candy until the kids are home.

“I know it’s tough, but don’t eat any candy until a parent looks at the candy,” Deputy Fire Marshal Brian Scholl said in a video posted two weeks ago.

Skip the pranks

If you think throwing rotten tomatoes or flinging rolls of toilet paper at a mean neighbor’s house is harmless fun, Mesa Police reminded residents that damaging someone else’s property is a crime.

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