See and Be Seen on Halloween; Safety Tips From AAA
19 October 1998
See and Be Seen on Halloween; Safety Tips From AAA
NEVADA--Oct. 19, 1998--The only thing scary about Halloween should be your costume, according to AAA.
"The trick to a safe Halloween is to see and be seen," said Merry Banks, AAA's northern California manager of Traffic Safety. "Shorter daylight hours mean that more people will be on the streets at dusk and at night when visibility is at its lowest."
To increase safety while trick-or-treating, AAA recommends putting retro-reflective tape, usually used on running shoes or costumes, to make sure motorists can see you. Retro-reflective tape is available at home improvement centers and sporting-good stores.
Dark costumes -- like those favored by witches and ninja warriors
-- make it hard for drivers to see trick-or-treaters, AAA warns. Masks which obstruct vision are a safety hazard. Make-up, preferably glow-in-the-dark compounds, should be used instead of masks so children and adults have the benefit of full vision.
To have a safe and fun Halloween, AAA offers these tips:
-- Wear a florescent or light-colored costume -- Avoid wearing a wig which can block vision -- Pin up long costumes to prevent tripping -- Stay on the sidewalk. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic -- Carry a flashlight -- Trick-or-treat in a group -- Plan your route and pick well-lit areas -- Cross at corners and look all ways -- Young trick-or-treaters should be accompanied by a parent or guardian -- Sort and eat treats at home under parents' supervision
Established more than 90 years ago, the AAA affiliate of Northern California, Nevada and Utah offers a wide array of automotive, insurance, travel and financial services. It is the second largest affiliate of the national AAA organization with more than 40 million members in the United States and Canada.
Note to Editors: Spokespersons are available for interviews. A 30-second Public Service Announcement has been sent to local television stations.
