HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwire - October 27, 2007) - Halloween is a fun holiday for kids. AAA Texas
and the City of Houston want to make sure it is a safe one.
With Halloween being one of the most dangerous days of the year for child
pedestrians -- children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car
and killed on Halloween than the rest of the year -- it's essential for
parents to prepare their children properly to stay safe while trick or
treating.
With the days getting shorter, children are likely to be trick or treating
in the dark when it is harder for drivers to see them and the excitement of
the holiday can make everyone less cautious. To keep kids safe, parents
should remind them about walking safely and ensure that they will be seen
by drivers this Halloween.
"The excitement of Halloween night can easily cause children to forget
about their safety," said AAA Texas spokeswoman Rose Rougeau. "Parents and
adults should closely supervise their kids. Motorists must slow down and
watch for kids who may dart out into the street."
This year, AAA Texas has teamed up with the City of Houston to distribute
Trick-or-Treat bags that contain pedestrian safety coloring books, crayons,
pencils, and book marks. These goodies include easy-to-follow tips on what
parents and kids can do to Be Seen on Halloween. The bags are available
for FREE at the AAA Texas district office at 3307 Sage Road, Houston, TX.
The phone number is 713.284.6335.
"We want to make Halloween a safe celebration for all, especially our
children," says Houston Council Member Adrian Garcia. "One night of
patience and careful attention could save a child's life."
Here are some easy tips to ensure Halloween night is safe for all:
Motorists
-- Be especially alert. Remember that popular trick-or-treating hours
are during the typical rush-hour period, between 5:30-9:30 p.m.
-- Drive more slowly. Slow down and anticipate heavier than usual
pedestrian traffic.
-- Lights on. Be sure to drive with your full headlights on so you can
spot children from greater distances.
Parents & Trick-or-Treaters
-- Cross streets safely. Cross at a corner, using traffic signals and
crosswalks. Try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front
of them. Look left, right and left again when crossing, and keep looking
as you cross. Walk, don't run, across the street.
-- Walk on well lit sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk
facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk in
familiar areas with minimal street crossings.
-- Be a safe pedestrian around cars. Watch for cars that are turning or
backing up. Never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
AAA Texas, a member of the American Automobile Association federation of
motor clubs, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a
million AAA Texas members benefit from the organization's roadside
assistance service, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing,
buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs.
Information about these products and services is available on the AAA Texas
web site at
www.aaa.com.
Contact Information: Contact:
Rose Rougeau
713.284.6552 (direct)