October 25, 2007

District 10 Report

Safety tips for Halloween night

By Councilmember Nancy Pyle
Special to the Times

Boo! Halloween is just around the corner and as ghosts and goblins come out to play, I want to remind everyone of a few tips to make the most of this spectacular night.

As a parent and former elementary school teacher, I know that Halloween is cherished tradition for children and adults alike. But the excitement of the night often can cause children to forget to be careful. There is really no “trick” to making Halloween a real “treat” for the entire family.

Whether trick or treating in Almaden, Blossom Valley or elsewhere in San Jose, the major dangers on this annual day of fantasy are neither witches nor ghosts and goblins – they are accidental falls, burns and pedestrian/car crashes.

A safe Halloween requires children and adults to think seriously about safety on this annual day of dress up, make-believe, parties and trick or treating. Here are some things we can do to help make this Halloween safer for everyone.

Motorists

Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.

Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

Enter and exit driveways carefully.

At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Pumpkins

Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers.  Then parents can do the cutting.

Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

Home Safety:

Parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

Trick or Treating

A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.

Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.

Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.

Carry a mobile phone for quick communication.

Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.

Never cut across yards or use alleys.

Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.

Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!

Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Candy

Give children an early meal before going out.

Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.

In addition to these tips, my office will be sponsoring 17 Halloween safety centers at homes throughout Almaden and Blossom Valley (see related story on page 16). These Halloween safety centers are coordinated by Safe from the Start, a San Jose nonprofit organization and a list of locations will be available at the District 10 Web site (http://www.sanjoseca.gov/district10) as we move closer to Halloween. Last year 25,000 glow necklaces were distributed to 200 residential safety centers throughout San Jose!

The goal in creating the Halloween safety centers is to increase the safety of our children as they celebrate and enjoy the festivities around Halloween. Statistics show that if eye contact is made between the pedestrian and driver, the majority of accidents can be prevented. This Halloween, child safety awareness will be illuminated by the distribution of these glow necklaces, along with safety messages that will encourage families to learn safety measures and implement them when trick or treating on Halloween night.

Remember that the most rewarding part of Halloween night is not the tricks and treats, but the gathering of family and friends as we explore and enjoy our very own neighborhoods. By staying safe and taking the time to enjoy Halloween together, we can ensure that everyone in our community has a very Happy Halloween!