Yuma police add safety awareness to Halloween celebrations

Emphasizes walking and driving safely, keeping costumes appropiate, fully examining treats

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Police Department has released safety tips for families to consider this upcoming Halloween weekend.

"Halloween is coming up, so please remember there will be heavy vehicle & pedestrian traffic in most Yuma neighborhoods," shared Public Affairs Sergeant Lori Franklin. "The Yuma Police Department would like to give our community some general Halloween Safety Tips offered by SAFE KIDS."

Drive Extra Safely:

1. Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

2. Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.

3. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.

4. Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

5. Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.

6. Popular trick-or-treating hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

Walk Safely:

1. Cross the street at corners using traffic signals and crosswalks.

2. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. 

3. Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.

4. Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

5. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

6. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Drive Extra Safely:

1. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.

2. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.

3. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. 

4. When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. 

Drive Extra Safely:

•  Warn children not to eat any treats until a parent or trusted adult has carefully examined the candy for evidence of tampering.