Keep trick-or-treaters safe tonight

Costumed ghouls, goblins and pirates should have fun as they go hunting for treats tonight, but an extra dose of caution can prevent tragedy.

While monsters may hide under beds, the real dangers on Halloween are children walking through dark neighborhoods, unattended candles and belly aches — or worse — as a result of too many or tainted treats, safety officials said.

“My big thing is pedestrian safety,” Lynnwood Fire Department spokeswoman Marybeth O’Leary said. “It’s so dark, and there are so many kids.”

The number of deadly car accidents on Halloween increases an average of 30 percent when the holiday falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In Washington, from 1997 to 2006 there were 17 vehicle fatalities on Halloween, nine of those deaths occurring on a Friday or Saturday, said Dave Overstreet, a spokesman for AAA of Washington.

“Drivers need to be watching for trick-or-treaters, especially young kids who might dart out into traffic,” Overstreet said.

Trick-or-treaters should carry flashlights and wear reflective tapes on their clothing, Snoho­mish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said.

It’s always a good idea for an adult to join young revelers as they visit neighbors looking for candy handouts, and a grown-up should check all treats before children eat them.

“If in doubt, throw it out,” Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.

Pets are best kept indoors during the holiday. Someone could try to hurt them, but more likely, cats and dogs easily can be spooked by excited, sugar-fueled children racing around neighborhoods in costumes, experts said.

And spooky home decorations can be safer with a few precautions.

Flickering candles may look nice in a carved jack-o’-lantern, but they can be a hazard, O’Leary said.

Small, battery powered lights now are available that look like candles and don’t pose the risk of sparking a home fire, she said.

“A little extra caution and a lot of common sense can go a long way toward preventing injuries and fires,” said Kim Schroeder, a Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman.

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.