PIKEVILLE, KY (October 31, 2021) – It’s Halloween, and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) wants everyone to have a safe and spook-tacular time. With many festivities kicking off, KSP is providing safety tips for their little ‘goblins’.
KSP Post 9 Commander Randal Surber said, “Halloween is a fun and exciting time for everyone in our communities, but our top priority must always be safety. We believe if everyone follows these recommended safety tips then the children in our communities can have a night filled with candy and fun.”
KSP recommends the following tips for parents:
- Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick, or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible.
- Younger children should be accompanied by an adult or older sibling. Older children should stay in groups.
- Make sure your child can see out of their mask properly and can walk in their costume without tripping.
- Remind children not to enter a strange house or car. Talk to your children about stranger danger and the safety precautions when around someone they do not know.
- Inspect your child’s candy before they eat it. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious-looking goodies. If your child does get sick, call your doctor or the hospital emergency room immediately and save all wrappers. It is also helpful to determine what they ate and where it came from.
- Teach children a good phone number to call and how to call 9-1-1 if they become lost or have an emergency.
KSP recommends the following tips for motorists:
- Stay alert for increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic on Halloween night.
- Be patient and slow down. Excited kids may forget to “stop, look and listen” before crossing the street.
- Drive defensively. Don’t assume that a pedestrian will move in a predictable manner.
- Be extra cautious in areas where vehicles are parked along the side of the street. Trick-or-treaters may dart into traffic from between parked cars.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
KSP recommends the following tips for homeowners:
- Turn on your porch light.
- Eliminate tripping hazards on your porch, yard, and walkway.
- Use battery-powered jack-o-lanterns or light sticks. Place pumpkins away from the area where children will be walking or standing to prevent accidental fires if candles are used.
- Pets can be frightened by Halloween activities. Restrain or bring them indoors to protect them from vehicles or accidentally hurting trick-or-treaters.
If there is an emergency, please dial 9-1-1 immediately. If there is a non-emergency, please contact KSP Post 9 at 1-606-433-7711.
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