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Safety tips for trick or treating
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Every Oct. 31 parents take their children through their neighborhood trick or treating. This may be an activity your children enjoy but keep in mind the dangers of such activity. Safety should be of number one importance to everyone.

Each year more and more people are beginning to bring all terrain vehicles out onto the roadways to tow children in wagons or other makeshift vehicles. ATVs include Gators, utility tractors and low tire pressure vehicles. These are illegal to bring onto any highway, county roadway or street.

Golf carts are also illegal to be operated on unspecified roadways and after darkness. This prohibition includes during trick or treat. It is all about safety.

Other points to remember are these:
• Parents should never allow their children to go door to door trick or treating unsupervised.

• Children should not wear masks to cover their face and limit their field of vision.

• Children’s costumes should be of bright colors and have at least two strips of 3M reflective tape so as to be seen by motorists.

• Children must never be allowed to eat anything until the items are inspected by a parent.

• Children should never be taken into neighborhoods which are private property and closed to non-residents.

• Children and adults walking should carry some source of lighting.

• Adults must not stop on the roadways, obstructing traffic flow, or creating a traffic hazard while their children are walking to a residence

• It is illegal for children to ride in the back of a pick up truck, in the back of an SUV or any other vehicle unless they are seat belted as Georgia traffic law requires.

It is important to remember as a young person walking in costume, you may see a car but the driver of the car may not see you. Do not walk in the roadways, even in subdivision streets. Georgia law requires all pedestrians walking on a roadway, who are not within a crosswalk, to yield to all cars and trucks. That means if we are walking, we must move out of the roadway and let the car or truck pass.

Trick or treating in Effingham County will be Oct. 31 from 6-9 p.m. If you have questions you may contact Sgt. Ramsey Mannon at 754-3449 ext. 221.  

Know Your Neighbor: Maci Robinson
Owner, Bloom Dance Company
Know Your Neighbor

(What you won’t find on social media … even if you’re approved as a friend)

  • Born: Savannah, Ga.
  • Status: I’m married to my middle school sweetheart. We’ve been married nine years and together for 18.
  • Alma mater: Savannah College of Art and Design, bachelor’s degree in motion media design (2015).
  • What’s on TV: I love to binge Netflix series … and I also love bad reality TV. Fun fact: I watch “Family Feud” every single night before bed.
  • Most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done: I ran the Philadelphia Half Marathon with absolutely zero training.
  • Favorite dance move to teach: Pirouettes. They’re usually the first difficult turn dancers learn, and I enjoy breaking it down step by step until they finally get that “I nailed it!” moment. I also love a fun, upbeat jazz combo that brings out a dancer’s personality. Give me some sass, stage presence and sharp technique, and I’m in my happy place!
  • What I drive: Range Rover — I’ve got to show up in style.
  • What I’m reading: Honestly, I’d rather scroll on TikTok or Instagram than read. I can’t even remember the last book I read.
  • Favorite movie: “Grease.” The soundtrack is unbeatable, and I love singing along to every song.
  • Something you’d never guess about me: I’m secretly a total night owl and do my best thinking after midnight. But I’m also the napping queen — I love a good nap, even though I rarely have time for them.
  • Actress who would play me in a movie: Reese Witherspoon — she totally matches my vibe.
  • Favorite thing in my closet: My comfy Lululemon leggings, sparkly sneakers that add flair to any outfit, and my collection of designer handbags — a perfect mix of comfort and glam.
  • App I can’t live without (no judgment): Apple Music and the Notes app. It’s the only way I stay organized. My to-do lists are always out of control.
  • Worst habit: Hitting the snooze button too many times. Or showing up five minutes late everywhere I go. Or running my gas tank as low as possible because I hate pumping gas.
  • Funniest thing a student has done in class: After 18 years of teaching dance, there are countless funny moments. Some of my favorites are when little ones dress themselves and show up to class in full costumes or cowgirl boots, or when they casually spill their mom’s biggest secrets mid-stretch, or when they decide to choreograph their own hip-hop routine right in the middle of ballet class. It keeps me laughing and reminds me why I love teaching.
  • Weirdest thing in my fridge: The “Hot Ones Challenge” Apollo Last Dab Hot Sauce — I love my hot sauces.
  • On my office walls: Photos of my pets. I have two pups, Karli and Tux, and one cat, Luna — they are my world.
  • One person I’d love to cook for: My mom. She’s not here anymore, but I know she’d be proud that I got my cooking skills from her — and that her recipes still live on in my kitchen.
  • Go-to comfort food: Vietnamese food, specifically a bowl of pho and, of course, a boba tea.
  • First thing I do in the morning: Grab an iced coffee and cuddle with my pups.
  • Pet I’d have if anything were possible: Definitely a monkey — one that’s cute, cuddly and maybe helps me with chores. Who wouldn’t want a sidekick with personality?
  • Most-used emoji: 💜
  • First job: Instructor’s assistant at a dance studio at age 14.
  • What I like about Effingham County: It feels like home. It’s got those small-town vibes where everyone knows everyone, and no matter how much it grows, it will always be home to me.
  • Snack I can never say no to: Chips and queso. I’m always down for Mexican food.
  • Favorite sports team: Florida Gators. Go Gators!
  • What song always gets me dancing: Britney Spears, of course. I’m a true ’90s/early 2000s girl. Any pop or hip-hop from that era gets me moving instantly.
  • Favorite value in others: Kindness. I believe there are lots of good people in the world, and kindness is what makes them truly stand out.
  • Advice I’d give my teenage self: Enjoy the moments and celebrate your wins. Invest in yourself and your future, and don’t wait — see the world while you can. Life’s about balance, growth and adventure.
  • Talent I’d most like to have: I wish I could sing. Let’s be honest — I’ve got main character energy, just not the vocal range to back it up.
  • Dream date: To come home to a fully packed suitcase and a surprise trip planned. Any destination would be fine with me.
  • Attribute I like best about myself: My patience. I’m one of the most patient people, and I credit that for much of my success as a dance instructor.
  • And least: I’m a perfectionist and an overachiever. I want everything to be perfect, which sometimes makes me indecisive and stressed over little details.
  • Most ridiculous thing I believed as a kid: If you turned the light on in the car while driving at night, the police would pull your parents over and arrest them. 🚨
  • My hero: My husband. He’s my best friend, supports me unconditionally and always inspires me to be my best self.
  • My bucket list: Adventure and love. I want to travel the world, visit every continent and swim in every major body of water. I want to renew my vows with my husband in a beautiful place like Bora Bora or Fiji. And I want to own a big boat we can sleep on to explore different islands together.
  • My motto: Life is short — cherish every moment. Success is earned, not given. Push yourself, stay positive, ride the wave, and good vibes will come back to you.
More Know Your Neighbors:

Maddie Greer: Mars Theater Director

https://www.effinghamherald.net/lifestyle/know-your-neighbor-maddie-greer/


Jackson (Jake) ZeiglerEffingham County Communications Manager
https://www.effinghamherald.net/lifestyle/know-your-neighbor-jackson-jake-zeigler/


Susan Kraut: President and CEO, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce
https://www.effinghamherald.net/lifestyle/know-your-neighbor-susan-kraut/