Legend says that Halloween is the night when the worlds of the living and of the dead come closest, allowing spirits passage into the mortal realm.
Since it can be difficult to tell the difference between real spirits and little kids dressed up like them, local health and safety officials would like to remind residents to exercise caution this Friday.
Both pedestrians and motorists should take extra precautions on Friday due to the large number of children who will be out gathering candy after dark, according to Amy Bate, a health educator with the Tooele County Health Department.
Motorists should be especially alert from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, the most popular hours for trick-or-treating, Bate said in an email. She suggested drivers eliminate all distractions from their cars Friday night, and that they slow down and turn on their headlights earlier in the day to spot children.
She also suggested that drivers take care to look for children around driveways, alleys and intersections.
“Drive slow and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods,” Bate wrote. “Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.”
Pedestrians, likewise, should take safety precautions while out to celebrate the holiday. Like drivers, Bate said pedestrians should put electronic devices away and should never attempt to cross the street without checking all directions for cars.
Pedestrians should also stick to sidewalks whenever possible, she said, and where there are no sidewalks should walk “facing traffic as far to the left as possible.”
Costumes or bags can be fitted with reflective tape or stickers, Bate suggested, and kids could also carry glow sticks or flashlights to make them more visible to motorists. Costumes that obstruct vision or that present a tripping hazard should not be worn, she said.
Additionally, Bate suggested that children under age 12 be accompanied by an adult while out trick-or-treating. Older children should be encouraged to trick-or-treat in groups.
Tooele City police also suggested selecting costume accessories that are short, soft and flexible for safety.
While there haven’t been any significant Halloween accidents in the recent past, Bate said the sheer number of children out on Halloween, as well as the excitement of the holiday, mean everyone needs to take care to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“We need to be hyper-vigilant on that day,” she said.