By Conrad Dudderar
Associate Editor
Yukon Police are warning motorists to be on the look-out for ghosts and goblins invading neighborhoods Tuesday night.
Halloween is once again being observed Oct. 31, and with the sky getting darker earlier, police officials advise the public to be aware of young trick-or-treaters.
The City of Yukon recently declared Tuesday, Oct. 31 as the official “trick-or-treat” night.
Sunset will be at 6:37 p.m. on Halloween, which is a school night.
“The sooner they’re out there before dark, the better it is,” Yukon Deputy Police Chief John Brown said.
Brown is telling drivers to prepare for increased traffic – both foot and vehicular – on local roadways for trick-or-treat night.
Parents are advised to make sure their kids carry a flashlight, light stick or sometime reflective. They also should keep track of which homes their kids are going to.
Trick-or-treaters should only visit homes that have porch lights on after dark.
YPD officials highly recommend that parents check the candy their children have collected in their bags after they return home from their Halloween adventure.
Yukon police officers will be on extra patrol to ensure city streets remain safe as Halloweeners travel door-to-door hunting for sweet goodies.
“Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s all about fun and spookiness,” Deputy Chief Brown said. “But let’s make sure it’s safe too.”
On behalf of the Yukon Police Department, Deputy Chief Brown offered some time-tested Halloween safety tips for kids’ candy search next Tuesday:
- Plan the Costume: Choose flame-resistant costumes that are easy to move in and don’t obstruct vision. Safety first.
- Use Reflective Materials: Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and bags for better visibility in the dark. Shine bright.
- Stay Well-Lit: Bring flashlights or glow sticks to light your way. Let’s keep the shadows at bay.
- Trick-or-Treat in Groups: Stick with friends or family. Safety in numbers. And young kids should always have adults with them.
- Stick to Well-Lit Areas: Stay on well-lit streets and sidewalks. No dark alleys, please.
- Follow Traffic Rules: Cross streets at crosswalks and intersections. Look left, right, and left again before crossing, and obey those traffic signals. Road safety is key.
- Inspect Candy: Only eat factory-wrapped treats. Homemade items are sweet, but it’s safer to skip them. Check for any unusual packaging too.
- Set a Curfew: Agree on a return time. And make sure your child has a way to contact you in case of an emergency. Safety comes first, but let’s have fun too.
- Educate on Stranger Danger: Kids, don’t enter homes or cars of strangers. If something feels wrong, scream and run. Trust your instincts.
- Road Safety: If you’re driving, be extra cautious and drive slowly in residential areas. Let’s look out for one another.
“By following these safety tips, you can ensure your child has a spooktacular and safe Halloween,” Brown said. “Keep the communication open and remind them of these guidelines. Let’s make it a memorable and worry-free experience for all!”
OTHER OPTIONS
For Yukon parents who don’t want their children out trick-or-treating on Halloween night, there are other options.
Yukon’s Spooksville carnival, costume contests and haunted house will be 3-9 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Yukon Community Center, 2200 S Holly.
This will culminate Yukon Parks & Recreation’s “Triple Treat” Halloween schedule.
And many Yukon’s churches are planning “trunk or treat”-type activities over the next few days.
Daylight savings time ends Nov. 5 when clocks “fall back” on hour.
