Merseyside parents have been warned to ensure their children are dressed in clothing that can be spotted by drivers if they are heading out for Halloween.
Children are expected to be out trick or treating and celebrating with friends and family throughout the day and evening but parents are being warned about keeping safe as the days shorten.
Halloween also coincides with the first evening after the clocks go back, meaning it will be darker earlier.
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The sun is due to start setting in Liverpool just after 4.30pm, meaning many people are likely to be out and about as the light fades.
In posts on social media, Merseyside Road Safety Partnership said parents should be aware of this and take extra precautions to ensure that they and their children include bright and reflective clothing into their costumes in order to be visible to cars.
Meanwhile, drivers are being asked to take special care today, with more children likely to be on the streets later.
A section on the partnership’s website also said: “Now that it’s darker in the mornings and evenings, it’s important to remember to be extra vigilant when you’re out near roads.
“When it’s darker, visibility is greatly reduced for everyone which makes pedestrians and cyclists even more vulnerable than usual.
“It’s important for everyone to ensure that they can be seen at all times, and drivers need to be aware that it is much more difficult to see pedestrians and other vulnerable road users when it’s dark.”
Anyone walking or cycling during the darker months is also encouraged to follow the more general rules issued by road safety experts.
They are:
- Wear brightly coloured or fluorescent clothing during daylight hours but remember that this doesn’t show up in the dark
- When it is dark you need to wear reflective items such as vests, sashes and wristbands.
- Accessorise with items such as clip-on reflectors, armbands and stickers on your clothes or bag.
- Remember to have clean and working lights on your bike at night. Lights should be white at the front and red at the back. Having a rear reflector and spoke reflectors is a great idea too.
- Take routes that are well-lit and cross at places that are lit.
