NORTH AUGUSTA, SC (WRDW/WAGT) – Thursday is Halloween and safety is paramount when taking your kids out trick or treating.

Some neighborhoods are still seeing a lot of debris from Hurricane Helene, making door-to-door canvassing unsafe.

Parents say it’s a shock to have to worry about navigating this a month later.

North Augusta’s Hammond Hills neighborhood is one example of the debris that prompted parents and law enforcement to take a different approach this year.

“With, you know, any increase in traffic in a lot of areas, it just reduces the space for one car,” said North Augusta parent Ben Schneider. “So it’s definitely a concern.”

Schneider says, like many parents, they’ll have to get creative with Halloween this year.

“Obviously with the amount of debris, it’s a safety issue and I wouldn’t want anyone to get caught in anything.”

North Augusta Public Safety will have additional patrols in neighborhoods throughout the city.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office encourages early bird activities and other options such as the chest or treats.

Schneider says it gives her family peace of mind knowing there are efforts to make the scary season a little less stressful.

“We’re definitely going to look at other options because I don’t think it’s probably the best area right now,” Schneider says

He says things might look different this year, but he believes everyone will make the most of it.

“It’s unfortunate that we can’t have, you know, the traditional door-to-door experience,” says Schneider. “But, you know, for safety reasons, I totally understand.”

Law enforcement officials are encouraging parents to plan their routes in advance if they choose to take their children out tomorrow.

This means finding areas with less debris and wearing reflective and bright gear to stand out in the dark.

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