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Though Halloween is a time for spookiness, some tips for trick-or-treating safely such as staying in groups, checking candy before eating and watching out for motorists can help children avoid the true scares.

trick-or-treating in groups is a good way to stay safe this holiday season. Law enforcement encourages adults to maintain a close eye on their charges and keep them from running near the road. 

“The main thing is for motorists to be hyper-aware especially when they’re in the neighborhoods, to slow down and keep an eye for these things,” Mike Reynolds, Valley Police Chief.

It’s also important not to let children go trick-or-treating alone.

Children should be able to see through their costumes, especially plastic face masks. As for visibility in the darkness, Reynolds suggested carrying a flashlight or wearing a reflective costume. When crossing the street, make sure to look both ways and use a flashlight to let drivers know you are there.

Law enforcement recommends that families go to places they are familiar with rather than interact with strangers. Each October, ALEA reminds parents and guardians to consider checking the Agency’s online sex offender registry to use as a tool for awareness and to protect your child, according to a press release.

Though he said he has never known a case of candy being tampered with, Reynolds suggested parents stick to prepackaged goodies. Anything suspicious should be thrown away immediately.

Motorists also pose a safety risk to trick-or-treaters. Drivers should remember to be on the lookout and watch the road while driving through residential neighborhoods.

The city of Valley does not have any official trick-or-treating hours so Reynolds said drivers should be on the lookout all evening. Thursday night also coincides with a Valley High School football game so there may be more traffic than usual. 

As for those passing out candy, families can use some signage or use the traditional signal of leaving an outside light on. Reynolds advised trick-or-treaters to only go to houses that have a porchlight on, signaling that they are participating. 

“We’ve got to respect other people’s property,” Reynolds said. 

More tips for drivers, pedestrians and partygoers come from an ALEA press release:

• Be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians. 
• Slow down and scan the road. Remember: Slower speeds save lives. 
• Watch for young trick-or-treaters in unexpected places. Children may be unaware of traffic and dart into the street unexpectedly. 
• If you see an impaired driver, contact law enforcement. 
• Safety Tips for Pedestrians:  
• Before festivities begin, create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely and prevent walking alone. 
• Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. 
• If possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions,  including those turning left or right. 

Unfortunately, Halloween also involves potentially deadly crashes, and impaired drivers on the road, according to the release. In 2022, nearly half of all crash fatalities during Halloween night were alcohol-related. 

Safety Tips for Party Attendees:  

• Before drinking, choose a designated driver, or schedule a ride-sharing, ride-hailing or taxi service. 
• If you drink, do not drive — for any reason. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. 

Safety Tips for Hosts:  

• Be responsible and take action to make sure guests get home safely. 
• Prepare to call taxis or ride shares, provide sleeping accommodations, or — if you’re sober — drive guests home yourself. 
• Collect car keys from guests who are drinking. 
• Provide non-alcoholic beverage options.