Safety stressed as Carson City prepares for Halloween night

More people will be out on the streets Monday night in Carson City than any other evening of the year as the Nevada state capital prepares to celebrate Halloween night.

Sidewalks, crosswalks and residential streets throughout town are likely to be abuzz with little ghosts and goblins as trick-or-treating gets underway Monday.

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong reminds drivers to be cautious on the road tonight.

“Halloween evening brings out kids, younger and older, as they move from place to place, often down dark streets,” he said. “This one night is likely the most challenging for drivers out on the roadway. Even if it’s later and you don’t see the families out there, please be cautious.”

Meg Ragonese of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) said the best practice is for everyone — both drivers and pedestrians — to share the responsibility of using the roads.

“NDOT and [the Nevada Highway Patrol] reminds drivers and pedestrians to always focus on and share the road,” she said. “Pedestrians should cross the street legally, making eye contact with drivers and waiting for drivers to stop before crossing.”

Crossing the street legally means doing so at street corners, designated crosswalks and traffic signals, she said.

Pedestrians should look both ways twice before crossing a street, Ragonese said.

She said NDOT and NHP also recommend pedestrians wear either highly visible clothing or accessories that are easy for drivers to see.

“Pedestrians should also make themselves visible, whether wearing a reflective costume on Halloween Day or reflective gear,” she said.

Reflective tape is a good way to dress up a costume and make it visible at night, Ragonese said.

Sheriff Furlong said it’s also a good idea for trick-or-treaters to carry a light source with them, such as a lantern, glow stick or flashlight.

Over the past three Halloweens, Ragonese said, there have been 417 motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians, including six traffic deaths.

This year alone, there have been 263 traffic deaths in Nevada to-date, she said, twelve more fatalities than at the same time last year.

Ragonese said that although motorists are always expected to be vigilant of pedestrians, they need to be extra careful on Halloween night because of the density of trick-or-treaters on or around streets.

“Drivers should always watch for pedestrians and yield when necessary,” she said. “This is particularly true on Halloween night, when young trick-or-treaters are out in force.”

Alleys and driveways can be especially dangerous when the sidewalks are full of pedestrians, she said, so drivers need to back out of driveways cautiously and approach alleys with care.

She reminds people to avoid impaired driving, which puts everyone at risk. Those who plan on drinking Halloween night should either select a designated driver ahead of time or else call a taxi or use public transportation.

Parents are also advised to ensure anyone their children ride with during trick-or-treating is not impaired, she said.

Sheriff Furlong said one last safety tip for parents is to inspect trick-or-treat bags before children begin to consume any candy lest they receive a trick instead of a treat.

“Parents should be aware to check their children’s bag before allowing them to dive in,” he said. “An ounce of safety for a pound of candy.”

Loose, unwrapped items should be discarded, and parents should only allow their children to eat candy in its untampered, original packaging.

When going door to door, children are advised to avoid dark houses and only approach those with lights on.

Trick-or-treat in only well-lit areas, Ragonese said, while also sticking to familiar neighborhoods.

Children under 12 should be supervised by an adult while trick-or-treating, she added, and all children should trick-or-treat in groups for their safety.