Be safe this Halloween

Little ones dressed as ghouls, witches and vampires should be the only scary part of Halloween, but the day is notoriously dangerous as pedestrians are out and about in the dark.

According to the American Red Cross, the risk of pedestrian fatalities is 43% higher on Halloween compared to any other night. Children aged 4 through 8 are 10 times more likely to be hit by a car this day than others.

“For those out walking and trick-or-treating, be sure to use sidewalks when at all possible and always look both ways before crossing the streets,” Creston Police Sergeant Michael Walsh advises. “For those driving during trick-or-treat hours, be sure to use extreme caution as there will be many people out walking. There may be those dressed in darker costumes that may be hard to see, so make sure you are watching out for pedestrians.”

Creston’s trick-or-treating hours are Friday, Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

With sunset just after 6 p.m., the festivities will mostly occur in the dark. Drivers are encouraged to turn their headlights on during trick-or-treating, even if it’s just dusk.

Temperatures are estimated to go below freezing during the overnight of Halloween, so prepare for chilly temperatures during trick-or-treating.

“If you happen to see any strange activity, don’t hesitate to call the law enforcement center,” Walsh said. “Let’s have a safe and fun Halloween.”