FORT KNOX, Ky. – Although the Halloween holiday can provide an opportunity for outdoor family fun, installation officials are asking the community to be safe and alert when trick-or-treating.
The hours set for Fort Knox residents to go door-to-door in their costumes on Oct. 31 are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Safety director Joe Colson said there’s something all families should do prior to heading out for treats.
“Before you even go out trick-or-treating, lay out the rules,” said Colson. “You have to have a plan before you leave to be safer.”
Each year, Colson issues a Halloween safety bulletin to help parents advise their children on how to stay safe. He said while checking candy at the end of the night is important, many people forget what is actually the biggest danger on Halloween:
“Traffic,” said Colson. “You have kids jumping out of cars and running up to the houses, and then running on to the next house – and then you have somebody in a vehicle and they don’t see them.”
According to Safety official Wendy Steinhoff, reports show child pedestrians are more at risk of being hit by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year. She said putting out information about the risks isn’t about causing alarm, but a reminder of why understanding them is so important.
“It’s all about the safety of your children,” said Steinhoff. “Parents need to take responsibility and keep a close eye on their children.”
Steinhoff said there are ways to ensure kids are more visible.
“Have children carry flashlights or chem lights, or wear bright-colored clothing,” said Steinhoff. “Make sure you stay together as a family or group.”
Colson echoed Steinhoff, saying it’s just as important for parents to have visibility of their children.
“Always keep your child within your line of sight,” said Colson. “If your child starts running, make sure you have full control of them verbally. Always be in a close enough distance that you can call out to them.”
In an effort to provide additional safety, Colson said there will be another factor helping protect the community.
“We’ll have Fort Knox Police patrols out on the installation,” said Colson. “Everyone should feel very safe here on Fort Knox.”
The number one thing Colson said he hopes residents remember this Halloween is that officials have their best interest at heart.
“The kids should go out and have fun,” said Colson, “but the most important thing to remember is to do it safely. Have fun, but be careful out there.”
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