Tomorrow is Halloween, and with the holiday falling on a Thursday this year, many of the associated parties either happened last weekend or will take place this weekend. That means there may be more trick-or-treaters out and about than usual.
Motorists should be on the lookout throughout the evening, especially during parish-designated trick-or-treating hours. The hours are set for 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. for St. John the Baptist Parish and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. for both St. James and St. Charles parishes. Children may be out earlier or later than this, however, so motorists should be extra cautious in residential areas all evening.
There are also several tips for both parents and children to keep Halloween from becoming real-life scary.
Costumes should be light in
color or should have glow-in-the-dark or reflective tape on both
the front and back. Trick-or-treat bags can also be decorated with the tape. Costumes should be
flame retardant and should not restrict a child’s motion or vision. Costumes should also be adorned with the child’s name and phone number just in case he or she gets separated from the adults in charge.
Costumes for anyone, no matter the age, should avoid colored or decorative contact lenses that
have not been prescribed by an eye doctor as they can promote the growth of bacteria in the eye and can lead to vision loss or blindness.
While out, it is best to trick or treat in groups and stick to familiar territory, and when the little ghosts and goblins get their haul home, parents should first inspect the candy.
With a little caution and a lot of common sense, parents can make sure this Halloween is scary for all the right reasons.
For more tips on Halloween safety, see page 15B.