HALLOWEEN- Some Safety Tips

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has released its quarterly newsletter from Sheriff Johnson, “A Message from the Sheriff.” It includes some Halloween Safety Tips that make this Halloween safe and fun.

When out trick or treating,

·         Check offender registries. Before heading out, check the Washington association of Sheriff’s & Police Chiefs (WASPC) sex offender registry at  https://sheriffalerts.com/cap_office_disclaimer.php?office=54528&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery for registered sex offenders along your route.

·         Use costume safety. Make sure costumes fit properly to prevent trips and falls.

·         Make your kids visible. Equip your children with glowsticks, flashlights, or reflective tape to make sure drivers can see them.

·         Supervise your children. An adult should accompany children under 12. Older kids should go in groups and stay together.

·         Maintain pedestrian safety. Walk on sidewalks where available. If there are none, walk facing traffic as far left as possible. Avoid crossing between parked cars or darting into the street.

·         Stay vigilant. Avoid houses that have not turned on their porch lights. Stick to well-lit streets and use crosswalks.

·         Follow peak Trick-or-Treat hours- 5pm to 9pm.

·         Inspect the treats. Before letting your children eat their treats, check all candy for tampering and discard any unwrapped or suspicious items.

For drivers,

·         Plan ahead. Make transportation plans before heading out to Halloween events.

·         Drive slowly. Be extra cautious in residential areas. Children are three times more likely to be injured by a car on Halloween than on a typical day.

·         Stay alert. Watch for children in dark costumes and keep your headlights on to increase visibility.

·         Avoid distractions. Put away your phone, don’t be distracted by passenger conversations. Focus on the road!

·         Don’t drive impaired. If you plan to drink or use marijuana, DON’T DRIVE! Arrange for a designated driver, rideshare, or taxi.

·         Be aware. Law enforcement will be increasing DUI patrols on Halloween night. Make smart choices to keep everyone safe.

 

 

If you would like to receive the “A Message from the Sheriff” newsletter in your email inbox you can subscribe through the county’s subscriber webpage at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASNOHOMISHCO/subscriber/new?preferences=true#tab1. Enter your email and click submit. On the next page, select "Sheriff Newsletter" under "Sheriff." Then click "Submit" at the bottom of the page.

 

 

 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/halloween-safety-tips

 

National Safety Council:

https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/autumn-safety/halloween

 

HALLOWEEN– Safety Tips for the Halloween Season

Many parents may be considering letting their children go trick or treating for Halloween this year. The Snohomish Health District has some tips for safe Halloween activities: 

·         Wear a mask if you are at a crowded outdoor gathering (500 or more people).

·         If you are taking your kids trick or treating-

o   Keep your group small and stay outdoors.

o   Try to keep at least six feet apart.

o   Wash your hands before and after you go out.

o   Wear a mask that fully covers your nose and mouth. A Halloween mask is not a substitute.

o   If you are not feeling well, please stay home.

·         If you are at home giving out candy-

o   If you are not feeling well, please do not go outside.

o   Wear a mask, even if you are vaccinated.

o   Greet trick or treaters outside in your driveway or yard.

o   Hand treats out to children. Wear gloves, plastic baggies or use tongs. Stay away from the traditional communal candy bowl. Other ideas to avoid spreading COVID-19 include making candy treat bags, spreading candy on a table in the yard or driveway, or making a candy shoot from your front porch.

 

Here are some more traditional tips for safe trick or treating:

 

·         Make sure your costume lets you see and hear perfectly. You need to watch and listen for cars.

·         Wear brightly colored clothing, use glow sticks and carry a flashlight so drivers can see you.

·         Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.

·         Walk on well-lit sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk in familiar areas with minimal street crossings.

·         Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

·         Have an adult check all treats before eating them. If in doubt, throw it out.

 

If you are driving on Halloween during the evening-

 

·         Be especially alert. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours occur during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30-9:30 pm.

·         Drive slowly. Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual pedestrian traffic.

·         Lights on. Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances.

·         Avoid using handheld electronic devices.

 

And, if you are in the Lynnwood area, consider attending the Halloween Drive-thru Hullabaloo hosted by the City of Lynnwood.

 

 

 

City of Lynnwood:

https://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/Community/Community-Events-Calendar/Halloween-Drive-Thru-Hullabaloo

 

 

Snohomish Health District:

https://www.snohd.org/civicalerts.aspx?aid=622

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html

 

 

 

 

 

HALLOWEEN- Halloween Scam

Q13 recently reported on an event scam that has victimized several people out of their money. The “organizers” used the web and social media to advertise a “Haunted Booze Cruise” for October 28. Then the organizer cancelled and Q13 reports that people who signed up have not received the promised refund and are having trouble contacting the organizer.

While this was a Halloween event, this is a lesson that can be applied throughout the year. The Washington State Attorney General’s Office says that it receives many complaints about phantom events, including fun runs, booze cruises, etc. An Attorney General spokesman said that this scam is becoming “more and more common.”

Here are some tips to avoiding an event scam:

·         Look for specifics. If there is no specific time or place for the event, that might be a clue that it is a phantom event.

·         Be suspicious of any photos on event web sites. Are they stock photos that you can find on other web pages?

·         Do some investigation before signing up. For example, is it a booze cruise? Who is providing the boat? Call them up to confirm the date, etc. Is it a fun run at a local city or county park? Call the parks department and confirm that there will be a fun run.

·         When paying, use your credit card, not your debit card. With your credit card, if the organizers skip out on you, you can dispute the charge and have an easier time to get your money back.

So, have fun this Halloween, but unfortunately you might need to do a little bit of investigative work to ensure that you are signing up for a legitimate event.

KCPQ 13 News:

http://q13fox.com/2017/10/19/buyer-beware-from-fun-runs-to-booze-cruises-event-scams-are-popping-up-cats-families-fun-hoax-scam/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=59ea1eaf04d301021452167c&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter

And if you plan a traditional Halloween with trick or treating, here are some tips for a safe Halloween night,

http://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/2015/10/halloween-think-safety-whether-trick-or.html

HALLOWEEN– Think Safety Whether Trick or Treating or Partying

Halloween is coming and time for trick or treating and partying to enjoy the tradition. The Lynnwood Police Department reminds everyone to be safe:

• Go trick-or-treating with a grown-up. If kids are mature enough to go trick-or-treating without supervision, make sure they stick to a predetermined route with good lighting.

• Take advantage of one of your community’s pre-planned indoor events.

• Make sure your costume lets you see and hear perfectly. You need to watch and listen for cars.

• Wear brightly colored clothing, use glow sticks and carry a flashlight so drivers can see you.

• Have an adult check all treats before eating them. If in doubt, throw it out.

• Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross. Walk, don’t run, across the street.

• Walk on well-lit sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk in familiar areas with minimal street crossings.

• Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

• Be especially alert. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours occur during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30-9:30 pm.

• Drive slowly. Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual pedestrian traffic.

• Lights on. Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can spot children from greater distances.

Some fire safety tips include:

• Use a battery-operated candle or glow-stick in jack-o-lanterns and avoid using candles.

• When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric.

• Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.

• Teach children to stay away from open flames including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them.

• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.

 

 

And, Sheriff Ty Trenary reminds everyone:

Impaired driving is a leading factor in Washington traffic deaths. We’re working with the Washington State Patrol and other Snohomish County law enforcement agencies to keep alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers off the roads.

You can do your part this Halloween by driving sober, designating a sober driver, or taking alternative transportation.

Don't let Halloween become a nightmare: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

 

 

 

 

Lynnwood Police Department:

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WALYNNWOOD/bulletins/1217ffb

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

http://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/210/Law-Enforcement