Valparaiso, IN – With Halloween approaching, Porter County Emergency Management officials are urging parents to take extra precautions as children head out for trick-or-treating this week.
According to the agency, children are twice as likely to be hit and killed by a vehicle on Oct. 31 than on any other day of the year. The department shared several reminders to help families enjoy a safe evening while celebrating the holiday.
According to county officials, only 18% of parents use reflective tape on their children’s costumes, and 12% of kids ages 5 and younger are allowed to trick-or-treat without adult supervision. Authorities stress that children under 12 should always be accompanied by an adult.
Other safety recommendations include decorating costumes with reflective tape or stickers, sticking to well-lit neighborhoods, trick-or-treating in groups, and ensuring costumes fit properly to prevent trips or falls. Parents are also reminded to encourage kids to walk, not run, across streets and to obey all traffic signals.
Officials note that prime trick-or-treating hours are typically between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m., when visibility begins to drop and vehicle traffic remains high.
Residents are urged to drive cautiously, keep headlights on early, and watch for children crossing between parked cars.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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