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HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE
October 30, 2018

Halloween is now upon us and Troopers want to urge everyone to make safety a top priority this Halloween. As trick-or-treaters take to the streets across Louisiana neighborhoods, parents and guardians should remain vigilant for possible hazards and dangerous situations. To ensure that your Halloween is a safe and memorable day for everyone, we recommend following these common safety tips:

· Ensure that your child carries a flashlight or glow stick, and/or wears reflective clothing or costumes to alert drivers of the child’s location.
· Masks can restrict vision and breathing, restricting sight of oncoming vehicles. Face painting is a safe option.
· Costumes should fit children correctly and not drag the ground as this could create a tripping hazard.

· Children should be accompanied by adults/parents and should not be allowed to enter homes or vehicles without their supervision.

· Plan your trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.

· Always walk on sidewalks when available. If walking on the street is necessary, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
· Children should also know their address, phone number, and how to dial 911 for emergencies. Young children should have this information attached somewhere on their costume in the event they get separated or lost.

· Parents are urged to inspect all candy for safety after returning home.

Motorists should also use caution this Halloween. With all the trick-or-treating excitement, children may inadvertently dart across the street into the path of moving vehicles. Because of this, motorists are being asked to not only drive with extreme caution, but also to drive extra slow in neighborhoods and residential areas. By driving with headlights on during daylight hours, children, as well as other vehicles, are more likely to see them from greater distances.

Historically, Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to impaired drivers. On Halloween night last year, over half of all highway fatalities nationwide involved an impaired driver. For those adult trick-or-treaters whose Halloween festivities include consuming alcoholic beverages, we strongly encourage you to have a plan in place for a safe ride home. Your plan can include such ideas as having a designated driver or calling a taxi or using Uber/Lyft, as long as it does not involve you getting behind the wheel of a vehicle impaired or allowing friends or family to drive impaired. Remember, Halloween is meant to be scary, but not when it comes to driving! Be Responsible, Don’t Drink and Drive!

The Louisiana State Police wishes everyone a safe and festive Halloween!

Contact Information:
S/T Michael Reichardt
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (318) 345-2810
michael.reichardt@la.gov
www.lsp.org
facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice
twitter.com/LAStatePolice