McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

October 29, 2007

Make it a safe Halloween

By Susan Brittingham

Maybe this Halloween, your car should have a sign on it that reads “This Car Brakes For Candy.”

But will your car actually stop? Have you checked those brakes lately?

When they’re out trick-or-treating, a lot of children will dart across streets, wear dark colors or masks that slide down over their eyes, and just flat-out forget safety rules.

You, as the driver, must be hyper-vigilant, making sure that the vehicle’s brakes and lights all work — while keeping an eye out for excited children.

“Motorists should take a few precautionary steps before Halloween to make sure brakes and lights are working properly,” Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council, said. “Plus, they should drive slowly and carefully. This combination will go a long way toward keeping trick-or-treaters safe.”

White noted that signs of brake problems are: the car pulls to one side during braking, the brake pedal pulsates when the brakes are applies, the brake pedal feels “mushy,” there is a noise when stepping on the brake pedal, and the master cylinder repeatedly needs brakes fluid.

He cautioned that brakes do wear out and eventually need replacement.

And remember, Daylight Savings Time isn’t until Nov. 4, which means that the little trick-or-treaters will be coming out of their haunts at dusk.

“Driving at dusk is difficult because although the sky is bright, objects on the road can merge with shadows and fade into darkness,” he said.

To help keep your little ghosts and goblins safe, remind them to get out of the car on the curb side instead of the traffic side, to stop at all corners and to use crosswalks.

Parents who let their children go trick-or-treating alone might want to equip the candy-hunters with cell phones. That way they can call or text home to say “I’m on Second Street, heading toward the library” and parents will know exactly where they are.

Cell phones have alarm clocks, which can be programmed to go off when it’s time for the trick-or-treaters to head home.

Also, emergency numbers can be pre-programmed into the phone so children can get help quickly.

“A cell phone is a great safety tool for kids during Halloween,” said Michael Edwards, director of sales for U.S. Cellular. “If you keep it fun for them, they’ll be more likely to use it. Invite children to use camera phones to take pictures of their friends’ costumes or their favorite decorations. Get kids interested in the phone and they’ll be more comfortable using it when they need to.”

And just in case you were wondering how many costumed children might drop by your house in search of Halloween candy, the Census Burea reports that there are 36.1 million children aged 5 to 13 in the United States.

But don’t worry, there are 109.6 million occupied housing units in the nation — plenty of people to help pass out candy.

If you don’t want to pass out candy, though, consider giving fruit snacks, granola bars, colored markers, small packages of crayons, spider rings, rubber snakes or other small trinkets.

No matter what you do for Halloween, remember that in Quinton, the fine for throwing eggs is $244, according to Assistant Police Chief Justin McCarty.

Contact Susan Brittingham at 421-2029 or sbrittingham@mcalesternews.com.

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