First lady Jeanette Herbert poses with a few spooky kids at Macey's in Salt Lake City. Herbert, along with zero fatalities and Associated Food Stores, have teamed up to make free reflective trick or treat bags available through Halloween.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — With Halloween fast approaching, Utah kids will have the opportunity to get more than just candy.
While kids tend to focus solely on the treats, parents are always looking to ensure they stay safe going door to door.
Trying to do their part, a group of state leaders and agencies have teamed up to give away free safety items to help make sure Utah kids are scary and safe next Thursday.
“Free reflective trick or treat bags to help increase the visibility of children as they’re out knocking on doors,” says first lady Jeanette Herbert.
Other agencies joining the first lady include the Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) Road to Zero Fatalities program and Associated Food Stores.
Parents can pick up the free bags at Macey’s, Dans, Dick’s and Fresh Market locations between Bountiful and Pleasant Grove now through Halloween.
Law enforcement officials say the bags should help, but a child can never be too visible.
“Reflective clothing, glow sticks, whatever it is to help identify those children that are out-and-about is a must,” explains Major Tyler Kotter with UHP.
He says the biggest keys to staying safe are keeping an eye on kids, keeping them out of the road and ensuring they are visible.
Unfortunately, fall is already a dangerous time of year.
“This October alone we’ve already had three auto-pedestrian fatalities and six serious injury auto-pedestrian crashes,” says Jason Davis, deputy director with UDOT. “We want that to stop.”
For motorists, it’s important to remember this is far from a typical night.
“Halloween is an event where everything is outside the norm,” says Major Kotter. “There are more kids out-and-about, they are in areas that are sometimes not well lit.”
As always, he says it’s a good idea to slow down, look both ways and avoid any sort of distractions in the vehicle.
KSL Newsradio is teaming up with UDOT on the road to zero fatalities.
You can learn more here.