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Scared safe on Halloween

After all the excitement that comes along with wearing a costume and collecting pounds of Halloween candy, staying safe in the streets might not be the highest priority for trick-or-treaters. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), October 31 has had the second highest number of pedestrian deaths since 1986, averaging two dozen fatalities on that day each year. In an effort to maintain safety, the 109th Precinct encourages everyone to follow these simple safety recommendations to ensure a happy and prosperous Halloween:

? Choose a costume that is flame retardant.
? Wear light-colored clothing at night and add reflective tape or reflectors to dark-colored costumes.
? Give and accept wrapped or packaged candy only.
? Parents should accompany small and elementary school age children while trick-or-treating.

Those driving on Halloween should remember that trick-or-treating will start early since the holiday falls on a Sunday. Remember to be alert while entering and exiting driveways and be on the lookout for children darting out into the street. The mission to get as much candy as possible can cloud the mind of any child, so be patient and cautious while on the road.
There are many safe and fun events for the whole family scheduled around Queens for those looking for a change of pace.
Halloween Events

Friday, October 29th and Saturday, October 30th 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Fort Totten: Haunted Lantern Tour; get spooked with the Urban Park Rangers as they lead you on a Haunted Lantern Tour of the Historic Water Battery in Fort Totten. Tours run continuously but you must be on line no later than 8:15 p.m.; call the Rangers at 718-352-1769.

Saturday and Sunday, October 30 and 31, 1 and 3 p.m. New York Hall of Science: Smash That Pumpkin; there will be a catapult launching pumpkins to their deaths in honor of Catapult Month at New York Hall of Science; call 718-699-0005.

Saturday and Sunday, October 30 and 31 Queens Zoo in Flushing Meadows: Boo at the Zoo; face-painting, trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating and a haunted habitat and spooky animal presentations; call 718-271-1500.

Sunday, October 31 11-4 p.m. Bowne Park: Halloween Party for Children; The Wizard of Oz theme party; last year over 2,500 people attended and received free candy, face painting and pony rides while enjoying live music to begin their Halloween day; help raise money for St. Mary’s Hospital for Children; call 718-932-0800.

Sunday, October 31at Noon, 21st Annual Jackson Heights Halloween Parade: gather at 89th Street and 37th Avenue at 11:30 a.m.; feel free to join the route along the way; children receive a goodie bag; presented by The Jackson Heights Beautification Group; email info@jhbg.org for volunteering information.

Saturday, October 30 12-5 p.m. Central Park Bandshell Area: The Pumpkin Festival in Central Park; an annual celebration of the fall harvest season; free activities, photo opportunities, live performances, haunted house, hay rides and more; This event is presented by Parks and The Hub TV Network.

Sunday, October 31 1-4 p.m. Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona: Halloween at the Museum; children are invited to don their costumes and enjoy Halloween treats and make spooky collages; free, call 718-478-8274.

Sunday, October 31 2 p.m. Flushing Town Hall: Halloween Festive Fun; before you trick-or-treat, stop by Flushing Town Hall in costume to celebrate the community traditions of the Day of the Dead, Halloween and All-Saints Day with hands-on festive fun for the whole family; call 718-463-7700.

Sunday, October 31 3-6 p.m. 109th Precinct in Flushing: Halloween Open House; children of all ages are welcome to stop by and meet police officers who will be handing out candy.