COUNTY LIFE
Halloween safety tips for motorist, parents, kids
Parents should accompany small children as they go in search of treats during Halloween.
Staying safe can be tricky for children going through neighborhoods in search of treats, unless they stay aware of possible traffic dangers on the streets, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension expert.
“This time of year, the days are beginning to get shorter, and with shorter days comes more low-light and nighttime driving,” said Bev Kellner, AgriLife Extension passenger safety program manager, College Station.
Kellner said nighttime driving requires extra attention from both motorists and pedestrians.
More than 70 percent of all fatal pedestrian incidents occur in low light conditions, and nearly 50 percent of fatal bicycle crashes occur in low-light or dark conditions, according to NHTSA.
“There are also increased instances of drunken driving on Halloween,” she noted. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reporting 42 percent of those killed in traffic crashes on Halloween night from 2013 to 2017 died in crashes involving a drunk driver.”
Kellner said the large number of young pedestrians on the streets Halloween evening makes this an especially dangerous time, but motorists, parents and children can take some safety measures to make it less daunting.
Safety tips
for motorists
• Slowing down in neighborhoods and watching for children on roads, medians and curbs.
• Taking extra precautions when entering or exiting driveways.
• Being alert to children possibly darting out from between cars or behind bushes or shrubs.
• If attending a party where alcohol is to be served, designate a driver.
Tips for parents
• Having an adult accompany children at all times to supervise their activities.
• Reminding children to stop, look and listen before crossing streets.
• Taking a flashlight and having your child wear reflective strips or patches on their clothing or costume to be more visible.
• Be certain children’s masks do not impair their vision or hearing.
• Ensuring costumes do not impede the ability to walk or drive.
Tips for pedestrians
• Before crossing a street, stop at the curb or edge of the road and look left, right and then left again before crossing.
• Walk, don’t run, from house to house or across the street.
• Cross streets only at intersections and crosswalks, then obey any traffic signals and watch out for turning cars.
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.
“Many people are also choosing to have in-home Halloween parties for children or Halloween parties in schools or community centers in order to increase child safety,” Kellner said. “But if you’re doing Halloween the old-fashioned way by door-to-door trick or treating, taking some extra time and making sure everyone obeys the rules of the road and remains vigilant can make Halloween reasonably safe.”
Have fun and remember to be safe.
After practice and try-outs, the inaugural team of Bowie High School Steppers was selected this past week and the squad will get to work with a car wash fundraiser on May 4.
All donations will go toward the drill team uniforms. Come get a wash from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 4 at Central Baptist Church. Email [email protected] with questions.
Coach Lauren Dosch announced the 2024-25 Steppers: Julie Berry, Reegan Ferguson, Elise Fitch, Rebecca Fitch, Peyton Howson, Hayden Lea, Lillie Posey, Jade Shoefstall, Katie Smith, Shelby Vannucci, Chazlyn Webb and Lilli Willett.
Pictured the new Bowie High School Steppers. (Courtesy photo)
Bowie High Steppers: (Back) Reegan Ferguson, Chazlyn Webb, Hayden Lea, Katie Smith, Lillie Posey, Peyton Howson and Director Lauren Dosch. (Front) Elise Fitch, Rebecca Fitch, Juliet Berry, Lilli Willett, Jade Shoefstall and Shelby Vannucci.
Spring has sprung and it is time to nominate top yards from your neighborhood to be considered for The Bowie News Yard of the Month.
The first award will be made for April and nominations may be submitted through April 26. The winner will be announced in the May 1 edition of The Bowie News.
Call the Bowie News office at 940-872-2247 or email it to [email protected]. Please include the address and name of the resident if you know it or a contact phone number for the nominee.
Sponsored by The Bowie News and Beautify Our Bowie, the contest winner gets to show off the brightly colored Yard of the Month sign in their yard during the month. A winner will be named for April, May and June.
The names of nominees may be submitted more than once throughout the contest if they are not a winner. Winners from last season will not be considered to allow for others to have an opportunity to participate.
A group of experienced gardeners volunteer their time to visit all the nominees and select a winner.
This contest will recognize a beautiful yard which is not necessarily the most fancy or elaborate, but one that shows care and upkeep in their neighborhood. The goal is to encourage all Bowie residents to keep their properties clean and looking nice for everyone to enjoy.
Criteria for judging will include ongoing maintenance of the yard and landscaping. The yard needs to be clean and free of trash, junk or other unsightly objects. Grass and shrubs need to maintained at reasonable levels.
Landscaping also will be considered, but are encouraged to include not only annuals for the season, but permanent items such as shrubs, vines or hardscape, as well as decorative structures like a gazebo or benches
Enjoy a free comic book day mini-convention 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 4 at the Bowie Public Library in conjunction with Freakz & Geeks of Bowie.
There will be arts and crafts, comics, a costume contest, special guests, BTXFG exclusive swag give-aways, a video game high-score tournament, vendors and more.
Whether you’re a cosplayer ready to break out your costume, a gaming fanatic looking to throw down, or simply looking for a day of family-friendly fun and entertainment, there’s something for everyone at the Mini Con.
Don’t miss out – come join the festivities and support your local Freaky Geeky community.
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