The snow is flying, the nights are getting darker and Halloween is here! That means trick-or-treating with family and friends as well as handing out goodies for those who knock on your front door.
Soldotna Alaska State Troopers encourage people partaking in the holiday, to trick-or-treat with caution. Trooper Ryan Tennis:
“Of course, things kind of pick up during the Halloween. I mean, it’s festive for everyone, adults, and kids. We do get an uptick in related accidents and DUI stuff. For kids, we’d like to see them go in groups or obviously with adults as well. If they’re in groups with other children, that makes it easier for everyone to see them. They’re not darting back and forth across the road. Wearing reflective gear or having a parent or someone put on reflective stuff on their costume. Glow in the dark costume props are easier to see. Glow sticks. Steering clear of houses that don’t have lights on or have trespassing signs explaining to the kids not to go to those houses. Having a parent check through the candy when they get done. Obviously looking both ways a couple of times before crossing in the roads and just being polite and having fun.”
Tennis says drivers need to also be careful:
“For the drivers, the adults, a good thing is to put the phone down, especially during this time of year when there’s lots of kids out. We like looking at the houses and the decorations and stuff, but just paying attention to what’s in front of you. Obviously, don’t drink and drive is a big thing as well. I mean, these kids are small and they are excited and it’s a festive and fun time, adults and kids alike.”
Also, officials in cannabis legal states are issuing a Halloween safety warning about associated candy getting confused with regular candy. Parents planning to take their kids trick-or-treating this weekend are urged to keep an eye on what goes in that pillowcase.