Let's all have fun on Halloween!

October 28, 2009 - When children head out for Halloween, the first rule of fun is safety. For the fourth year, Vulcan Materials Company McCook Quarry is teaming up with Adopt-a-School partners and local police departments to promote safe trick-or-treating. Through the partnership, thousands of donated glow sticks and safety flyers are distributed to help guide local children and parents through a safe and fun Halloween.

The "Be Safe. Be Seen." safety partnership includes Countryside, Hodgkins, McCook and Western Springs Police Departments; Hodgkins, Ideal and Pleasantdale Elementary Schools; and the LaGrange Business Association that will host its Halloween Walk on Oct. 31.

"Children can have a great time on Halloween and still be safe," said Jeff May, McCook Quarry Area Manager. "That's the aim of this growing partnership."

Local officers, who will be out in full force during Halloween festivities, urge motorists to slow down and maintain extra caution whenever and wherever children are likely to be present, especially during trick-or-treat times.

"When kids are more visible on Halloween, it's much easier for them to stay safe," said Chief Phil Kringlie Hodgkins Police Department. "We all have a responsibility to get the entire community involved in child safety, and we thank Vulcan and our schools for working with us."

Safety experts remind parents of several simple points to consider before their children go trick-or-treating. "Be Safe. Be Seen." Basics include:

Wearing light-colored materials
Adding reflectors or reflective tape to costumes and bags
Carrying flashlights or glow sticks
Using facial make-up because masks can obstruct a child's vision

"Our students can't wait to dress up and get outside on Halloween night," said Steve Bahn, Principal of Ideal Elementary. "By working together with McCook Quarry and local law enforcement, we can help teach children to be safe and still have fun."

Bahn also encourages parents to be more aware this season by following the safety precautions and guidelines being distributed through the partnership. Additional tips by the National Safety Council include:

Teaching children to travel only in familiar areas, along an established route.
Setting a return time.
Pinning emergency contact information inside your child's pocket.
Discarding any opened or suspicious treats.

A complete list of Halloween safety tips is available online at www.vmcMcCook.com.

"At our schools, we all work very hard to teach our students to stay safe," said John Signatur, Principal of Hodgkins Elementary School. "Our partnerships with Vulcan and the Village of Hodgkins help us accomplish this very important mission."