HALLO-WEEKEND SAFETY: 8 TIPS TO STAY SAFE ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT

If you’re like me and Halloween is one of your favorite holidays, then you know how easy it is to get caught up in the whirlwind of finding a costume, planning the perfect Halloween night, and deciding which of the many events to attend.

It’s easy to forget to think about safety! But never fear, I’m giving you 8 safety tips to keep in

mind:

Travel in groups: Don't go out alone especially late at night. To stay safe, have a travel buddy to stick with so that no one is alone. When you're alone that makes you an easier target for

people with nefarious intentions. This may seem obvious, but I’ve hung out with many people

who, in an effort to make things "easier, " say they will just meet the rest of the group at the

destination. Trust me, it will bring a lot more peace of mind if you travel to and from your destination together.

Make sure you have a plan for traveling: Going to and from clubs and other events, it's best to plan in advance. If you’re in a major city like New York City, know in advance what bus or train you will take back home and when. If you get an Uber or Lyft, always check the license plate to make sure it matches. Do NOT get in a car if the plate doesn’t match what is said on the app.

Don't leave anyone behind: This goes hand in hand with traveling in groups. If you're in a group, you are all responsible for each other. Some advice my older cousin gave me when I was going to college: He said it's okay if you want to go out drinking with your friends, but if you're going to, make sure they are people who would carry you home if you end up going overboard. So I say to you: Be the person who will carry someone home! Leave no one behind!

Avoid parks late at night: With all the commotion of Halloween night, it is typical for people to do and try to get away with anything because they think they can hide behind the business of the holiday. It is best to avoid dark places like parks, especially late at night.

Keep your Citizen app handy! This app is free to download from Google Play or the Apple App store. It sends safety alerts in real-time and enables you to instantly reach emergency contacts, and monitors certain areas to keep you updated on what is happening in real-time.

Keep your phones on! Since I’m on the topic of technology, if you have a phone, keep it

charged and on so you can get in touch with anyone from your group if you get lost. If you don’t, stick with someone who does so you always have a way to get in touch with the group.

Going to a club: If you're going to a club, this comes with its own list of precautions. Don't take food or drinks from strangers, drink responsibly, and again, don't leave anyone behind.

The parade: To stay safe in the crowd of people, try to stay on the edges of the crowd so you can enter and exit quickly and safely. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun! I guarantee that will be a lot easier when you know you’re prepared for anything. Have a happy (and safe) Halloween