(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett asks motorists to be on the lookout for Halloween Trick-or-Treaters on Oct. 31st. During Wednesday’s City Council meeting, the Mayor reminds residents that City-wide Trick or Treating in Atlantic takes place from 5-until 7-p.m., on the 31st.

Healthychildren.org has these tips for prospective trick-or-treaters and adults:

• Always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. If trick-or-treating doesn’t start until after dark where you live, consider checking with your town or park district for Halloween activities offered earlier in the day. Research shows that evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. are the riskiest times of day for child pedestrians.
• If your older children are trick-or-treating alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home and get flashlights with batteries for everyone.
• Talk with kids about the risk of distracted walking. This includes text messaging, talking on or looking at the mobile phone and listening to music.
  
  
• Cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Most (62%) child pedestrian traffic fatalities occurred mid-block, rather than at intersections. Make sure kids know not to cross the street between parked cars or out of driveways or alleys.
  
  
• Don’t assume cars will stop just because they have the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters.
  
  
• Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic. Only go to homes with a porch light on and, ideally, a well-lit pathway.
  
  
• Older children should travel in groups and create a “buddy system” to get each other home safely.
  
  
• Caution kids never enter a home or car for a treat. Notify law enforcement authorities immediately about any suspicious or unlawful activity.
  
  
• Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost or is prone to wander. See “Help Prevent Your Child from Going Missing” for tips.