by Rachel Hunter
The Village of Gouverneur has set trick-or-treating hours on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31 for 5 to 7 p.m.
The decision was made at the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 17.
Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press are reminded to prioritize safety this Halloween. Costume and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters.
The following tips can help make a safe and happy holiday for everyone:
Costume Safety: To help ensure adults and children have a safe holiday, fda.gov has compiled a list of Halloween safety tips. Before Halloween arrives, be sure to choose a costume that won't cause safety hazards. All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant. If children are allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them glow sticks. Opt for nontoxic Halloween makeup over masks, which can obscure vision; always test makeup in a small area first to see if any irritation develops. Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Here's a scary statistic: Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Lack of visibility because of low lighting at night also plays a factor in these incidents.
Keep these tips in mind when your children are out on Halloween night: A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds. If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time children should return home. Teach your children never to enter a stranger's home or car. Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends. Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies.
Safety Tips for Motorists: Parents and anyone who plans to be on the road during trick-or-treat hours: Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully. At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing. Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.
In addition to setting trick-or-treating hours, the Village of Gouverneur also promoted the upcoming Gouverneur Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 27, 6 p.m., at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. The event is annually sponsored by the Community Health Center of the North Country and Seaway Valley Prevention Council. Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall said, “I learned today that SUNY Canton is going to have one at the same time. Interesting. (Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr.) and I made the observation that we will have more people. One year, there was 1,500 people…” For more information on the Gouverneur Trunk or Treat, call SVPC at (315) 713-4861.
Mayor McDougall also promoted the Gouverneur Recreation Department’s 28th annual Community Costume Spooktacular on Saturday, October 28, 11 a.m., at the Riverview Recreational Park in Gouverneur. There will be music, entertainment, costume party showcase, costume contest, Halloween parade and more festive fun. All ages are welcome. This event is weather permitting. For more information, call the Gouverneur Recreation Department at 315-287-0524. See related story inside this edition.
See the community calendar in this week’s Gouverneur Tribune Press for more local Halloween events.
The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom. For more information, call 315-287-1720.