Have Halloween fun but be careful

Oconee County Sheriff’s Office hopes everyone enjoys Halloween tonight in the safest manner as possible. “We are asking our citizens to be especially careful during the late afternoon and early evening hours, especially around dusk and after dark on your way home from work or from going out.  Please watch out for children and families that may be trick-or-treating as you travel on the roads and highways and around your neighborhood,” says Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw.  “Also, many cities and businesses will be hosting events and churches will be hosting fall festivals during the weekend proceeding Halloween and also the day of as well, so expect heavier than normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic possibly in these areas.”  Safe Kids Worldwide recently reported that children on Halloween are more than twice as likely to be struck by a vehicle and killed than during any other day of the year.  With that in mind, the Sheriff’s Office is offering these safety tips:

·        All costumes and bags should have some type of reflective material.  Also look at the possibility of wearing costumes that are light in color.  You may want to consider carrying glow sticks and flashlights which can be used to make sure drivers can see pedestrian traffic easier.

·        Make sure that children have adult supervision and consider traveling in groups and in well-lit areas.

·        Make sure costumes fit well to prevent falling and tripping hazards.

·        Check all candy to make sure it is sealed in its packaging properly and has not been tampered with.  If you are going around from house to house to trick-or-treat, make sure you go to houses of family, friends, neighbors.