Enjoying A Safe, Fun Halloween In Westport

The young’uns are looking forward to dressing up and trick-or-treating Monday, and the older kids are looking forward to dressing up and partying this weekend.

While Halloween provides the number one excuse to disguise your self as someone or something else for a night (or for a few nights) and let loose, it also presents a danger to pedestrians. And on Halloween, the streets are filled with many a pedestrian, young and old.

The AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety released the results of a pedestrian fatality study conducted from 2000-2009 and found that Halloween is the deadliest night of the year for those taking to the streets on foot, reported The Hour.

Though alarming, it’s not a reason to keep your little ghouls and boys packed inside for the night. Instead, the organization urges motorists and walkers to be ultra-vigilant on All Hallows’ Eve.

The echoed in a press release the foundation’s warnings.

“Motorists are urged to drive with extra care, as ghosts and goblins will be out on Monday evening, October 31,” Westport Police Captain Sam Arciola said.

"Costumes should be easily visible and marked with reflector tape, and flashlights should be carried," Arciola added.

Here are a few more tips from the Westport Police Department:

• Never use candles to illuminate pumpkins. Flashlights or glowsticks will be much safer.
• Travel in small groups to increase safety. Encourage children to stay in their own neighborhoods where they are known.
• Children should only go to the houses where outside lights are on. A darkened house is not prepared to receive them (possibly the occupants are elderly or ill).
• Use sidewalks whenever possible. Walk on the left side of the street facing traffic if sidewalks are not available. Travel only in well-lit areas.
• Children should not eat any treats until they return home and parents can inspect the treats. Unfortunately, “doctored” treats are still a fact of life. Anyone receiving treats suspected of having been tampered with should call the Westport Police Department (203-341-6000) or their local police department immediately.

“The Police Department wants the children to enjoy Halloween with good, clean fun, but warns that vandalism and acts of mischief, which threaten safety or result in property damage, will not be tolerated,” Arciola said.  

The Westport Police Department will have extra evening patrols on Halloween weekend. These patrols will concentrate on increasing motorists’ awareness to slow down and watch for children along the roadways, as well as deterring acts of vandalism.

Have a happy Halloween!