With Halloween falling on a Thursday this year many of the annual parties will likely take place on either the weekend prior or the weekend following the holiday, when most people do not have to drag themselves back into work hung over! As more and more businesses and shopping malls are now practicing their own trunk-or-treat sessions for the kiddos as well, remember that pedestrian traffic is also set to increase around those areas during the two weekends mentioned and Thursday. With an increase in foot traffic and driving traffic through, be extra vigilant in scanning for pedestrian and vehicular hazards!
Even though some children play it safe and carry flashlights, glow-sticks, and strobes, it still can be difficult to see them as they are running about the dimly lit streets. Even though glow sticks may be seen as something fun for people around this time of year, they can also serve as a device that allows you to be more visible as a pedestrian, thus adding to one’s safety in the dark of night.
If you happen to be a parent with kids going out on the hunt for candy this year, be sure to coach them on how to stay safe ahead of time. Bright colored costumes are best for visibility, but if your child does have a dark costume, make sure they have a light source such as a flashlight, strobe pin, or glow-stick to make them more visible in the dark. Remind them to look out for vehicle traffic and only to cross streets in well-lit, crosswalk controlled crossings.
This holiday poses another danger in the form of increased drivers on the road driving under the influence. Far too many people ignore the harsh penalties for drinking and driving and partake in alcoholic beverages at parties before taking hold of the wheel. There is no excuse for drinking and driving with all the available alternatives out there, but nonetheless some still take the gamble of drinking and driving. If you decide to party and drink, be sure to designate a driver, call a cab, or use an app for a ride. If you have to work and will be out driving on the roads this Halloween like many I know, be sure to keep your eyes on the lookout for pedestrians, and be aware of other hazards such as potential drivers under the influence around you and report any you see by calling 911.
