Big Island Police Issues Halloween Tips

The Hawai’i Police Department released safety information for children and adults on Halloween.

Walking on Halloween can be dangerous, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers that show children between the ages of five and 14 are four times more likely to be killed while walking on the holiday than at any other time of the year.

HPD issued the following tips for trick-or-treaters and motorists:

Trick-or-Treaters

• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Carry flashlights to see and be seen.
• Use reflective tape or stickers on bags or costumes.
• Cross the street only at corners, using crosswalks when available.
• Walk on sidewalks. If no sidewalks are available, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Use face paint or makeup instead of masks, which can obstruct vision.
• Avoid costumes that are so long that they become a tripping hazard.
• Only visit homes that have a porch light on.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s house.
• Be cautious of strangers and animals.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating.

Motorists

• Be especially careful in residential areas by slowing down and looking for keiki on roadways, on medians, and curbs.
• Watch for keiki darting out from between parked cars.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• If you are drinking this evening, don’t drive – make sure you have a reliable, licensed designated driver before you start drinking.