MARANA, Ariz. (KGUN) — As Halloween weekend kicks off and families across the area are preparing for a night of trick-or-treating, Northwest Fire District is reminding families of safety tips.
Kids are more likely to be hit and killed by a car on Halloween than on other days of the year, according to reporting by CNN.
Northwest Fire District Paramedic Firefighter Bradford Palmer explains that safety starts with smart costume choices.
"Make sure that they're not too loose-fitting, that they don't drag on the ground, we don't want to see anybody trip or fall. If you're wearing a mask, make sure you have really good visibility so that you can see that you're not walking out into traffic, you can see around you," Palmer said.
Not only do you want to make sure you can see, but make sure others can see you, too.
"Glow sticks, flash lights - make sure your kids have them and they're visible to others, because like everyone else, tons of people are out, they want to engage in trick-or-treating, so a lot of traffic and a lot of movement going on on Halloween," Palmer said.
For those decorating with jack-o-lanterns, Palmer advises using LED candles.
"If you do decide to use a traditional candle with a fire, just make sure it's away from your decorations," Palmer said. "Decorations are one of the most commonly ignited sources."
Palmer wants everyone to enjoy the night while staying safe.
"I think everybody's going to be in good spirits, they're going to stay out later, it's going to be darker, people are going to be more tired, so just be a little more cautious," he said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Madison Thomas joined KGUN 9 in July of 2023 as a multimedia journalist. She graduated from Arizona State University in May of 2023 with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She has lived in Arizona her entire life and grew up in Douglas. Madison is thrilled to share the stories from the community she grew up in. Share your story ideas and important issues with Madison by emailing madison.thomas@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
