Trick-or-Treat safely: Tips from local authorities
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –While Halloween is all about sweet treats, spooky fun, and creepy costumes, safety is also important to keep in mind.
As children get ready to trick-or-treat, there are several safety concerns to consider.
Lieutenant Greg Willett with the Wilmington Police Department emphasizes that traffic is always the biggest concern. He advises pedestrians to walk against the flow of traffic:
“If you are a pedestrian, walk against the flow of traffic. That means as you are walking, you want to be on the side of the road where you are seeing the traffic closest to you come at you.”
In addition to traffic safety, trick-or-treaters need to think about visibility when it comes to certain costumes. Willett warns:
“So if you are dressed in dark clothing, be mindful of that. If you have small children, be very mindful of that. It may not hurt to put something reflective on them.”
Wendy Giannini-King, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator for the Wilmington Fire Department, agrees with these points. She suggests:
“Make sure you light your costumes up. Glow sticks are great, flashlights of course, reflective tape or bags—you know, whatever you can use that’s reflective.”
Both departments will be participating in Halloween festivities. Willett notes:
“They’ll be able to hand out candy as they are out riding around, doing their job, patrolling, keeping people safe, being present but also being able to participate.”
Giannini-King adds:
“We’d love to see you on Halloween. We’d like to see your costumes. It’s usually really fun for us to visit with the kids that have dressed up like firefighters, especially law enforcement. It’s just so fun for us all night long.”
All fire stations in New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington will be handing out candy.
If you visit a fire station or the police department, be sure to check both their social media pages to catch a glimpse of your little ghouls and goblins trick-or-treating!
