October 2003, #13

Let's Walk & Roll

Keep our Goblins Safe

Halloween will soon be upon us (what are you going to be?) and the excitement is building as costumes are being made, bags of candy collected, contests being held at school, and the increasing dread of visiting "that scary house down the street."

It is a time for children of all ages who love getting dressed up and walking around their neighborhoods visiting neighbors and being "frightened" by some of those ghostly decorations. For some it is also a time to drive around and look at the various neighborhood creations. Combined with normal evening hour traffic and earlier sunsets, it's a combination that can be a little dangerous, especially since it's often hard to see the little witches and goblins.

There are two choices, don't step foot out of the house (not very festive) or take a few extra minutes to prepare ahead of time.

Halloween costumes are often dark in color, even the white of a ghost costume doesn't reflect that well, so the wise parent will give each little beast something highly visible to be seen with. A flashlight is best, but also having a reflective patch (the material is called retroreflective and is available in bike, outdoor and some auto supply stores) in a visible place.

No matter how eager one is to get to the house that gives out a handful of candy to each munchkin, it is imperative that kids cross at an intersection (lighted if possible), and that extra care be taken to ensure that drivers see you before stepping out into the crosswalk.

Hold the small child's hand to avoid a quick bolt across the street to see something and share the sidewalk with courtesy for others.

As important as it is to be seen, it is equally important to actively watch and be aware of your surroundings before crossing the street. Talk to your Power Ranger and Fairy Princess about looking for cars before stepping out. Avoid masks; they severely limit the vision of the wearer. Instead, use face paint, it's fun, easy and much safer.

Halloween is about fantasy and candy (imagination and hyperactivity, a great combination!), and it can also be a perfect time to discuss pedestrian safety with your child in a new forum. The more you talk about it, the more your kids will remember when they are out on the streets, and the safer they will be.

We want to remind everyone to drive and walk carefully, be attentive and cautious as you cross streets, and if letting children out to walk down a particular street, please let them out of the vehicle curbside.

Remember to See and Be Seen this Halloween.

Jeff Swatman is the Alameda Police Department Traffic Sergeant. If you have questions regarding pedestrian/bicycle safety, please call him at 748-4508 extension 3342. John Knox White and Audrey Lord-Hausman work with Pedestrian Friendly Alameda (www.pedfriendly.org) and BikeAlameda (www.bikealameda.org).

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