Keep an eye out this Halloween

Ghosts, goblins and glitter will be all the rage on Saturday night as local kids take to the streets to celebrate Halloween.

While this is always a holiday where people need to be on the lookout, it’s especially so this year since the fun falls on a Saturday. This means that in addition to children going door-to-door, many adults will also be out and about attending costume parties and making merry.

Drivers need to be hyper-vigilant in order to ensure this Halloween goes off without a hitch. Sunset these days is around 6 p.m., so much of the trick-or-treating will be done either in low light or total darAkness. Please take a bit more time getting to your destination, especially when traveling through neighborhoods. Remember that children — many who might be wearing masks or bulky costumes — won’t always be looking both ways before crossing the street; it’s imperative for drivers to do the looking for them.

In addition to keeping an eye out for kids, community members can also help make this a safe, happy Halloween by looking out for suspicious behavior. Older kids and adults have been known to steal candy from kids on Halloween, and it’s also a night when vandals seem to be more active. If you see something that looks like it might be a threat to public safety, don’t hesitate to call police immediately.

Finally, a plug for the dentists out there: While it’s great for kids to indulge in sweets once in a while, we should all try to not overdo it with the candy and treats on Halloween. Sugary sweets are proven to be harmful not just to teeth, but to growing bodies as well. Remember that moderation is crucial to having a happy and healthy Halloween and try to mix in healthy snacks during the celebrations.

Don’t forget Daylight Saving Time

Luckily for kids who might be nursing candy hangovers the day after Halloween, Nov. 1 is also the day when Daylight Saving Time ends in Alaska. We’ll all get an extra hour of sleep Sunday morning, when clocks should be turned back one hour at 2 a.m. If you’re not planning to stay up that late, it won’t hurt to simply change the clock before going to bed.

And as any firefighter will tell you, Daylight Saving Time is also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. With winter approaching, we’ve already seen a rise in heating-related house fires. Better to be safe than sorry!