With less than a week to go until Halloween, there is a special need to not only be more aware of our surroundings while out on the road this time of year, but also there is the need to make sure our own families take special measures to remain safe out there while on the hunt for sacks full of candy! Since many children all over take to the street in search of candy treats during this entire week, it poses a potential increase in the amount of pedestrian traffic. As more and more businesses and shopping malls are now practicing their own early candy-grabbing sessions as well, pedestrian traffic is also set to increase around those areas.
Since the ghouls and goblins typically come out at dusk on their quest for candy treats, this makes spotting them in the dim light that much more difficult. Although some children play it safe and carry flashlights, glow-sticks, and strobes, it still can be difficult to see them as they run about the dimly lit streets. When I was a young child, we would always go out together in a large group that was supervised by a couple parents or much older siblings, which helped to ensure we were mindful 
of vehicle traffic in our street crossings as we ran about. With the excitement of the trick-or-treating, combined with being amped out on sugar, it was easy to be distracted as a kid and forget how dangerous the streets were when it was dark out! Glow sticks for us back then were just something fun to have, but unknowingly made it so that we were always visible when crossing a street or walking on a sidewalk.
If you happen to be a parent with kids going out on the hunt, be sure to coach them on how to stay safe. 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 also poses a danger in the form of increased inebriated drivers. Far too many people ignore the harsh penalties for drinking and driving and partake in alcoholic beverages at costume parties before taking the wheel to head elsewhere. Why these people would not just call an Uber or Lyft ride is beyond me, but nonetheless, some still take the gamble of drinking and driving at some of these holiday parties. If you do not have to work and attend one of these functions yourself, be sure to do the right thing and designate a driver or call a cab. If you do have to work and will be out driving the roads this Halloween, be sure to keep your eyes on the lookout for pedestrian, and be aware of other hazards such as potential drivers under the influence around you.
May the candy quests go smoothly and safely for all of the little ghosts, ghouls and goblins out there this upcoming Halloween!