Joplin Police Department offers Halloween safety tips

(From the Joplin Police Department)

The Joplin Police Department would like to remind you that on average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. There are several easy and effective behaviors that parents can share with kids to help reduce their risk of injury.

Walk Safely

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
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Trick or Treat with an Adult
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.
• If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
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Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.

Drive Extra Safely on Halloween

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.