TOPEKA (KSNT) – With Halloween coming up on Saturday, 27 News spoke with the local non-profit Safe Kids Kansas.
Safe Kids Kansas staff talked about what parents, children and drivers can do to stay safe while still going out to have fun this weekend. State coordinator for Safe Kids Kansas said Halloween is one of the most, if not the most, dangerous nights of the year.
According to the American Red Cross, trick-or-treaters are 10 times more at risk of being struck by a vehicle on the night of Halloween.
“If you are going to be drinking, it is important for you to have a designated driver. There’s just really there’s no wiggle room for that,” said Cherie Sage, state coordinator for Safe Kids Kansas.
Experts recommend implementing glow sticks, reflective gear and any form of visible light to help you and others see your child. They also recommend that your child should have full visibility when it comes to their surroundings as well; having face paint instead of masks helps with that.
“Also, really helpful if you use nontoxic makeup instead of a mask, because some of those masks can make it very difficult for their visibility,” Sage said. “So, that’s a challenge both for when they’re crossing a street and trying to look for vehicles, but also just things like, you know, tripping over curbs or other decorations that might be around.”
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We spoke with one local mom, Sarah Porter, whose two children still plan on going trick-or-treating this Saturday. She talked about the rules her family lays out before they go door to door.
“We always have glow sticks, and we always have flashlights. And typically they go just the two of them with my husband, always obviously an adult. If we do go with other friends, we pair them up,” said local mom Sarah Porter.
“So, there’s a little buddy system; little kids like to run off quickly, and we only trick or treat in our neighborhood because it has sidewalks,” said local mom Sarah Porter. “So, it is just the constant reminder before we leave. What are the rules? And wait for mom and dad and, you know, don’t cross the street without a parent, so forth.”
You can follow this link to Safe Kids Kansas for more resources.
“If you can’t avoid the side streets, the neighborhood streets, use the main roads,” Porter said.
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