TUCSON, Ariz. -- Halloween is a day where parents and kids prepare to swarm neighborhoods to trick-or-treat.
It is also a time when kids get caught up in the fun and forget about their own safety.
Whether you are going out or staying in for Halloween, there are a couple of things you can do to stay safe and have fun.
Officer Jesus Aguilar with the University of Arizona Police Department told KGUN9 it is a matter of following basic ground rules.
“Try to avoid going to areas or neighborhoods they’ve never been to. Travel in groups. If they’re trick-or-treating at night, they should try to have some type of lighting or reflector. So a flashlight,” he said.
Officer Aguilar also said it is important to stay in well lit areas and sidewalks.
Jeremy Richmond and Samantha Penrod tell KGUN9 their biggest fear on Halloween night is that one of their four children will get hit by a car.
“My biggest concern is traffic because we have four little ones and they are running across the street, a lot of the times. Or running back and forth from houses,” Penrod said.
Penrod and Richmond say although they do, at times, fear for their children’s safety, they also do not leave to go trick-or-treating without establishing ground rules.
“As we are out walking, they will always be in front of us. Never lagging behind. As we are crossing the streets, mom and dad’s hand or an older sibling,” Penrod told KGUN9.
If you would rather stay at home, there are indoor safety tips Officer Aguilar recommends to also keep you safe,
“On Halloween, a lot of people will put up webbing. So avoid having that around lights that might get hot or around an open flame,” he added.
Also avoid blocking exits, both doors and windows, with decorations
“So that, if there is an emergency people have an alternate way to get out besides the doors, said Officer Aguilar.
Overall, Richmond says it will be a day where he and his family will be able to have fun, and create memories along the way.
“It’s candy. It’s hyper. It’s you know, it’s all the fun. They are not going to be as aware of certain things. It’s Halloween. Dark is part of the theme,” Richmond said.
If you are planning on going out for Halloween, Officer Aguilar recommends that you stay with a group, and make sure you have a ride home, especially if you plan on drinking alcohol.
