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Police, UA officials offer Halloween safety tips

With Jack-O-Lanterns glowing and costume-clad bodies ready to roam, Halloween is officially set to begin.

Children gathering bags of candy will be the highlight of Sunday's festivities, but safety is also a main concern for Halloween participants.

"The main thing is to use your head," Tucson Police Department Officer Charles Taylor said. "If you are out, make sure you follow the same rules the kids do."

Taylor said to ensure safety, make sure costumes don't hinder eyesight, avoid driving with a mask on, appoint a designated driver if alcohol is involved and have a companion to walk with at all times.

"It really is the same for college students and adults as it is for kids," Taylor said.

James Van Arsdel, the University of Arizona's Residence Life director, agreed with Taylor's assessment of Halloween at UA, adding that it is crucial for adults and college students to take care of themselves.

"With little kids, visibility is always important," Van Arsdel said. "But older college students need to take care of themselves and be aware of what alcohol and other drugs can do to impair the senses."

Overall, neither Van Arsdel nor Taylor said they think crime has increased drastically on past Halloweens.

Taylor said that there are usually more parties.

"It gets a little crazier because more people are out," he said. "But it really has just been the parties."

Van Arsdel noted he thought Halloween isn't as big a deal at UA as it is at other colleges, but he doesn't know what to expect because Halloween falls on a Sunday.

"I really don't know what to expect," Van Arsdel said. "I have heard that people will be doing Halloween-related activities on Friday. So I am not sure what will happen. What may happen is there won't be a great throng of people because it will be spread out over the weekend."

"Most activities with Residence Life are inside," Van Arsdel said. "That takes away the typical safety issues because they are in buildings and the candy is safe. But for the rest of the students, and anyone out and about, people just need to use common sense and be aware of their surroundings."

But both Taylor and Van Arsdel agreed the most important thing on Halloween is to make smart decisions.

"Halloween can be a lot of fun," Taylor said. "But if you don't use your head it can be a bummer."