DENVER -- Halloween is next Tuesday, and while it may be known as the most kid-friendly of all holidays, it’s also one of the most dangerous.
On average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to other days of the year.
To ensure a safe night of trick-or-treating, officials recommend the following tips:
- Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.
- Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, choose light colored costumes that fit properly and avoid carrying sticks, swords, or other sharp objects.
- Check treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded, torn, or unwrapped.
Halloween is also a night police see a spike in crime. They’re advising homeowners to take three actions to prevent any potential crime or vandalism for families who may be out or trick-or-treating.
- Arm security systems.
- Take caution to lock vehicles, and the doors and windows of your home.
- Leave lights or a television on inside the home so would-be criminals can't be sure if anybody is home.