Safety Tips For A Dark, Stormy Halloween In Massachusetts

WORCESTER, MA — Forget about razor blades in apples or LSD-laced candy bars. The real danger on Halloween is drivers and dark sidewalks.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more pedestrians below age 17 have been hit and killed by drivers on Halloween over the last 14 years than any other day of the year.

It's not just that lots of young people are out on the streets: early sunsets (5:42 p.m. this year) and stormy weather complicate things. This Halloween, the weather is expected to be dark and stormy. Winds could reach as high as 45 MPH in Central Massachusetts, and 1 to 1-1/2 inches of rain could fall between Worcester and Boston.

Worcester police have released tips to keep trick-or-treaters safe this year, and most deal with pedestrian and driver safety:

• Choose bright colors that make your child more visible in the dark.
• Provide children with flashlights. Be sure they can see through masks/makeup.
• Maintain clear escape routes by keeping exits clear of decorations.
• Establish a preplanned route and only visit houses that have porch lights on.
• Be a safe pedestrian. Look both ways and use established crosswalks.
• Inspect candy and treats before consumption.
• Drive slow and stay alert in residential neighborhoods.
• Walk in groups with a trusted adult. Children under 12 should be supervised.
• Never accept rides from strangers or enter a stranger’s home.