ST. LOUIS — Despite the cold, trick-or-treaters will be out in droves on Halloween, Tuesday night.
Health and safety experts said this offers a good opportunity to review safety measures before kids hit the streets.
“There are more kids on the road on Halloween night,” said Dr. Lindsay Clukies, Washington University emergency medicine physician at St. Louis Children's Hospital. “There are more cars on the road, and it’s a really great time to talk about street safety with your child.”
St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said keep young trick or treaters calm and slow them down. Be careful with loose-fitting costumes around candles and fire pits. Those loose parts might catch on fire. He commissioned adult drivers with watching out for careless children, and he commissioned everybody with fire safety on Halloween.
“I know candles in the pumpkins is a tradition,” Jenkerson said, “but some of the new lights make the same type of effect as a lit candle. So, it might be better off to use a battery-operated candle with inside the pumpkin itself.”
American Red Cross officials offered the following Halloween safety tips:
- Make your trick-or-treaters visible to others. Provide kids with reflective gear, flashlights and glow sticks.
- Keep your hands clean. Use hand sanitizer.
- Practice pedestrian safety. Look both ways before crossing the street, use sidewalks and cross at the corners.
- Have an adult check candy and dispose of any loosely wrapped candy.
St. Louis County police offered these Halloween safety tips:
- Trick or treat in groups.
- Inspect candy and eat only factory-wrapped treats.
- Look both ways before crossing the street and use crosswalks.
- Never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
“For drivers, just slow down as you drive through your neighborhoods," Officer Adrian Washington said. "Take your time. You know there are going to be parents and children out. Slow it down. Most speed limits in neighborhoods are 25 miles per hour. Drop your speed down lower than that.”
Trick-or-treaters should approach traffic as if drivers cannot see them.
To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on 5+. Download for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV App Store.