Have a Safe and Fun Halloween!

NEW CITY, NY, - Happy Halloween! The Rockland County Department of Health and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee wants to help make sure that all trick-or-treaters have a safe and fun holiday.

Here are a few tips – without tricks – for parents and kids to follow while getting around this Halloween:

• Be Safe! Be Seen! Establish eye contact to make sure drivers know you are there. Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street. Use crosswalks if they are available. If there isn't a crosswalk, remember that pedestrians need to yield the right of way to cars! Always walk, don't run, from house to house.
• Sidewalks are safe spaces: If there's a sidewalk, New York State law requires pedestrians to use it! Sidewalks are spaces where walkers rule: drivers must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk when entering or exiting from an alley way, building, private road or driveway. Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.
• Wear light-colored clothing and add reflective material to increase visibility: Fasten reflective tape on costumes and bags to help drivers see you. Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Go on streets that are well lit.
• There's safety in numbers! While trick-or-treating, walk in groups with a trusted adult. Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
• Walk smart by putting your smart phone away: When crossing busy streets, look left, right, and left again. Look all around – except at your cellphone. Remove ear buds and pause your conversation when you are crossing busy intersections.

In addition, follow these costume and candy tips to have a safe Halloween:

• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to see clearly and prevent trips and falls. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes. Swords, knives, and similar costume extras should be short, soft, and flexible. Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. Cosmetic products, such as face paint, do not need the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before they reach store shelves. Many of these products are imported and may contain lead or other toxic chemicals. For more information, visit the FDA website.
• Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them, and limit the amount of treats eaten. Never eat open or unwrapped treats. Have a good meal before trick-or-treating, so you're not tempted to eat your treats before an adult checks them. Eat only factory-wrapped treats; avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

"Halloween is one of the most enjoyable days of the year for the County's children. While dressing up and going trick-or-treating is fun, there are risks. It's the responsibility of parents and caregivers to make sure that their trick-or-treaters know the rules and are safe," said County Executive Ed Day.

For more information about Halloween safety, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Learn more about walking and traffic safety from Rockland Safe Streets and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.