KEARNEY — On average, twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween than on any other day of the year according to Safe Kids Worldwide.
In an effort to provide a fun and safe holiday celebration, CHI Health Good Samaritan is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat for the community. Hospital staff will be handing out candy to children age 12 and under from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 in the hospital’s north parking lot.
The event is free and open to the public. Costumes are encouraged. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
“No tricks, all treats as we celebrate 100 spooktacular years of safety,” says Tracy Rademacher, Good Samaritan Trauma Prevention Nurse and Safe Kids Platte Valley Coordinator. “Our ER encourages everyone to BE SAFE, BE SEEN this Halloween.”
According to Rademacher, a few simple precautions can help limit injuries for those driving and walking on Halloween night.
Teach trick-or-treaters to:
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again before crossing and keep checking for vehicles as you cross. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Put cell phones down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Parent and caregiver advice:
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors to increase visibility.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
• Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. Remind older kids who can be out without an adult to trick-or-treat in groups and to stick to familiar areas.
Driver Alert:
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Avoid any driving distractions – like your phone – so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
