By City Manager Ken Striplin
Halloween is a busy night in neighborhoods throughout Santa Clarita. Families are out walking, children are crossing streets and drivers are sharing the road with more pedestrians than usual. With that increased activity, it is important that we all take a few extra precautions to keep our community safe.
My kids are older now and no longer trick-or-treat, but I remember taking them through our neighborhood when they were younger. While they were focused on costumes and candy, my focus was making sure they stayed close, crossed streets safely and were visible to drivers. Those basic precautions remain just as important for families today.
Before heading out, parents should plan a route through familiar, well-lit neighborhoods and make sure children know where they are going. Adding reflective tape, glow sticks or lights to costumes and candy bags can help make trick-or-treaters more visible after dark. Costumes should also allow children to see clearly and move safely.
Young children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult. For older children who are ready to go out with friends, parents should know their planned route, who they are with and when they are expected home. Make sure they have a charged cellphone and remind them to stay with their group.
It is also important to talk with children about what to do if they encounter an uncomfortable situation. They should never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle, and they should know that it is OK to say no, leave and contact a trusted adult if something does not feel right.
Drivers have an equally important responsibility in keeping children safe. Slow down in residential neighborhoods, avoid distractions and remain alert for children to be near roadways, intersections, medians and driveways. Use extra caution when backing out of a driveway or entering residential streets, particularly during peak trick-or-treating hours.
Public safety is one of the City of Santa Clarita’s highest priorities, and maintaining a safe community is a responsibility we all share. On Halloween, that means parents staying attentive, children following basic safety rules and drivers taking a little extra time behind the wheel.
These are simple steps, but they can make an important difference. By looking out for one another, we can help ensure Halloween remains a safe and enjoyable tradition for families throughout Santa Clarita.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
