Halloween is tonight: here is all you need to know

Halloween is tonight and trick-or-treaters are sure to be out and about knocking door to door for candy.

The streets will be packed with many children and parents roaming about. Drivers should be conscientious about their surroundings and be aware of children while driving on the city streets.

Halloween is one of the most dangerous days of the year for children who are trick-or-treating. More children are killed by motor vehicles on Halloween than any other day of the year according to an article from USA Today. The time these accidents occur is typically between 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drivers between the ages of 15 and 25 accounted for nearly one-third of all fatal crashes involving children on Halloween.

In most of the areas within the city, trick-or-treating will typically take place between 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow. It’s crucial that drivers practice extra vigilance during these hours.

As trick-or-treaters are out in the evening time when the sun is setting, it’s important for drivers to be on the lookout for dark costumes that may camouflage with the dark setting.

Younger children may be unpredictable and may run onto the road while trick-or-treating. Drivers should be very watchful for children walking on the streets or on the curbs.

Here are some safety tips for motorists driving on Halloween night:

• While entering or exiting a driveway, proceed with caution. Trick-or-treaters could be running about.

• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs. Children are full of energy on Halloween, and they move in unpredictable and sporadic ways.

• Discourage drivers who are inexperienced or new from driving the city streets on Halloween night.

• If you’re unsure of your surroundings, drive very slowly or put on the brakes and take extra time to be on the lookout for kids. They have the right-of-way.

• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can focus on the road and your surroundings. This includes turning off your cell phone and avoiding answering phone calls and lowering the radio volume.

• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn on your headlights to spot children from greater distances.

Trick-or-treaters should also be aware of their surroundings just as much as drivers.

The National Safety Council recommends a list of Halloween safety rules that trick-or-treaters should follow including:

• A responsible parent or guardian should accompany younger children while crossing roads and while trick-or-treating.

• If your child is old enough to be trick-or-treating on their own, come up with a game plan and map specific routes and locations that you are familiar with.

• Agree on a curfew for children to return home.

• Instruct your children that it is never acceptable to enter a stranger’s home or car.

• Tell your children to stick close together with their friends and make a “buddy system.”

• Advise your children to wait until they arrive home to unpack their candy they collected and check the candy to see if it’s acceptable to eat.

• If possible, take a cell phone with you while trickor-treating in case of emergencies. However, put the electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run across the street.

Drivers and trick-or-treaters alike should follow these tips to ensure a safe and secure Halloween for everyone. Lastly, remember to have fun and Happy Halloween!

Some Halloween events in Lavaca County include:

• For Hallettsville, there will be a “Trunk or Treat” event on the square tonight from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This will be hosted by Flamingo Fro-Yo. St. Peter Lutheran Church will also have their “Trunk or Treat” at the 2nd St. parking lot from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There will also be a Halloween event at the Friench Simpson Memorial Library from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• For Shiner, there will a “Trunk or Treat” event at K. Spoetzl Gift Shop parking lot from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will also be a community Halloween event at the Shiner Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at 1213 N. Avenue B. First United Methodist Church will host its “Trunk or Treat” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 102 W. Church St.

• In Yoakum, an annual Pumpkin Patch will be happening downtown tomorrow. At the Yoakum Independent School District parking lot, there will be an event hosted by the district. The YISD Student Council is organizing a “Trunk or Treat” with other classes and clubs. There will be a haunted band trailer, multiple interactive games, and candy for the kids. The senior moms will be selling sausage wraps and drinks and chips to support the after-prom event this year. This will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Moulton already held its “Trunk or Treat” event this past Saturday.