City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019) – Residents are urged to
prepare for forecasted high winds by bringing in loose objects, signing up for
emergency alerts and preparing their homes and families for potential power
outages. High winds are anticipated starting late this evening and continuing
through early Friday morning. Possible impacts include downed trees and power
lines.
Residents should also take extra caution while engaging
in Trick-or-Treating and other Halloween activities. The following list of
safety tips should be observed.
Halloween Safety Tips
• Cross
the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look
left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put
electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the
street.
• Teach
children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always
walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as
far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the
fewest street crossings.
• Watch
for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into
the street or cross between parked cars.
• Children
under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If
kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to
familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Keep
costumes both creative and safe.
• Decorate
costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose
light colors.
• Choose
face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a
child’s vision.
• Have
kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• Be
sure that costumes fit properly to prevent trips and falls.
• Drive
slowly and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are
excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take
extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter
and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate
any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your
surroundings.
• Drive
slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier
in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular
trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for
kids during those hours.
Other Helpful Reminders
• EMERGENCY
ALERTS: The 911 Center has the ability to notify residents on their home or
mobile phones in case of emergency using Hyper-Reach. Home phones are already
registered, but citizens must register their mobile phones. Register your
mobile phone at: www.cityofrochester.gov/knownow.
• WHO TO
CALL: Call 911 only if you are in need of police, fire or ambulance services.
Call 311 if you have questions about City services.
• PREPARING
PROPERTY: To mitigate property damage, pick up loose objects, inspect trees for
loose or damaged branches and reinforce windows and doors. Bring pets inside.
• POWER
OUTAGES: To report downed power lines or power outages, call Rochester Gas and
Electric at 1-800-743-1701. Refrain from touching or removing tree debris from
downed power lines. If you smell gas,
leave the property and call 911. For updates on power outages, visit: http://www.rge.com/outages/outageinformation.html
• For
information on preparing your family for power outages, visit www.redcross.org.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer
Jessica Alaimo at (585) 428-7135.