Photo by Lee Coursey

A touch of spooky is enjoyable on Halloween, but no one wants the holiday to be truly scary. Here are some safety tips from area police to keep things fun and not frightening.

Decatur Police Department’s Lt. Jennifer S. Ross provided these tips:

• Go trick-or-treating with a grown-up or in groups.
• Make sure to cross streets carefully and properly.
• Make sure you are seen by wearing bright colors or something with reflective trim and by carrying glow sticks, reflective bags and/or flashlights.

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Avondale Estates’ Police Chief Gary Broden provided a two-page list of safety tips for children, pets, and adults. He says when getting a costume, make sure it is:

• Flame resistant
• Light, bright, and clearly visible
• Not too long
• Doesn’t obscure vision

Also, traffic patterns will be altered on Halloween night in Avondale Estates from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

• Traffic will be one way, southbound on Clarendon Avenue from South Avondale Road to Wiltshire Drive.
• Traffic on Kingstone Road will be one way, eastbound from Fairfield Plaza to Berkeley Road, then east to Lakeshore Drive or north on Berkeley Road. 
• Dartmouth Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Fairfield Plaza to Sussex Road.
• Clarendon Place will be closed to vehicle traffic. 
• Wiltshire Drive will be one way, westbound from Clarendon Avenue to Forrest Boulevard.
• Wiltshire Drive will be one way, eastbound from Clarendon Avenue to Berkeley Road, then north on Berkeley Road. 

Finally, Atlanta Police provided this list of safety tips:

• Trick or treat at your local mall or neighborhood event. Never go places you are not familiar with.
• Go with friends. Ask your parents, older siblings or a neighbor to go with you. Never go alone or send kids out by themselves.
• Carry a glowstick, reflective bag or flashlight. This will help with visibility for those that are driving in areas where kids are busy collecting treats.
• Kids, please have your parents check ALL treats before eating them!!!
• Be sure that costume lengths do not cause ghosts and goblins to trip and fall. Also ensure that face masks have large cut-outs for the eyes.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

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