YPD, YFD offer Halloween safety tips

It’s the most spook-tacular time of the year. Ghosts and goblins will be on the prowl tomorrow night, (harmlessly) looking for something sweet to sink their teeth into. Though they don’t pose a threat to anything but your candy bowl, there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind as you’re participating in tomorrow’s festivities.

First responders from Yuma Police and Fire Departments offered a few safety tricks to ensure this Halloween is one big treat for everyone:

* Drivers should be prepared for heavier pedestrian traffic between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. YPD Sergeant Lori Franklin recommends taking extra precaution when entering and exiting driveways, slowing your speed and accelerating your sense of awareness.

* It’s always best to walk in a group, but parents should be sure their group is small enough to wrangle and conduct regular headcounts.

* Stick with neighborhoods you know and that homes have a porch light on.

* Accept treats at the door – never go inside a stranger’s house.

* If bright colors clash with your kids’ costumes, YFD Public Information Officer Mike Erfert recommends wearing reflectors, as well as using a flashlight or glow sticks.

* Make sure your kids’ costumes and accessories are flame-resistant, and that they know how to Stop, Drop and Roll in the event of an accident.

* In all the excitement, it’s easy to forget the rules for crossing the street; a reminder to stick to the sidewalk, look both ways before crossing the street, only cross at street corners and don’t hide behind or between parked cars.

* Inspect your child’s collection of treats before you let them start snacking.

For those wanting to avoid the door-to-door candy hunts and accompanying neighborhood traffic, there are several events happening across Yuma tomorrow night that promise plenty of candy and safe-but-spooky fun – check them out on at visityuma. com/events.