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Halloween is almost here.
It can be a fun, exciting time for children and their families alike -- but it also comes with risks.
We implore families to be mindful of their youngsters' safety.
Some of the safety tips offered by safekids.org include: Always walk on sidewalks or paths, put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, cross the street at corners and use traffic signals and crosswalks and watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
Preparing for the holiday also affords opportunities to consider safety -- safekids.org recommends decorating costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choosing light colors, choosing face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision, having kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers and, when selecting a costume, making sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
A safe holiday certainly does not fall entirely on trick-or-treaters and their families. Motorists on our roadways Halloween night should be especially cautious and should certainly consider slowing down and minimizing the distractions -- such as phones or loud volumes -- that could cause a motorist to miss noticing a child until it is too late.
We truly hope that every child in our region enjoys this season -- and we hope, as we do throughout the year, that pedestrians young and old and motorists can prioritize safety to avoid tragedy.