Each year, children take to the streets to scare the bedazzle out of people in exchange for some great candy treats. LAPD’s Traffic Division and Burbank Police teamed up to remind parents as well as kids to be careful during Halloween.
“Twice as many children are hit by cars on Halloween then any other day of the year,” stated Captain Charles Hearn of the LAPD. “There are 41 million expected kids on the street throughout the country tonight.
Last year we had 16 traffic accidents in the Valley with children involved,” stated the Captain.
Some of the reminders for parents include:
- Always escort your children with a flashlight
- Be familiar with the area
- Set a specific time when young children are out
- Always know who is trick or treating with your children
- Never let your kids enter a strangers home
- Walk on sidewalks, not in streets
- Inspect all candy before children eat it
and for the kids….
- do not trick or treat by yourself
- stay out of alleys
- obey all the traffic lights and always look in both directions when crossing the street
- do not run
- wait until you get home before eating treats
It is also important for motorists to be aware of children, especially when entering or exiting driveways and try to stay off the cell phone while driving.
Detective William Bustos of the Valley Traffic Division wants to also make parents aware of the fake packaging that contain marijuana and not candy. There are many illegal products out on the street that look exactly like well known candy products, but with just a little difference in the names.
“It is really important for parents to inspect all of the candy their children receive,” said Bustos. “It just takes a second to spread out the candy and inspect it.”
Burbank Motor Officers Randy Lloyd and Sgt. Kerry Schlif were also on hand to enforce the safety message.
Schlif reminded parents to make sure they kept on eye on their kids and were safe when walking neighborhoods.
Also mentioned were being careful of candy, especially dark chocolate and dogs. If a dog consumes chocolate, especially dark chocolate, it could kill the animal.
