Safety Tips for Halloween

Here are some safety tips for the Trick or Treaters in our neighborhood:

• Eat a good meal before trick-or-treating.
• Wear reflective clothing.
• Carry a flashlight or some type of lighting device.
• Use sidewalks when going up to homes and don’t cut through yards.
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• Children should not enter a stranger’s home or car, even if invited. Talk with your children about this important rule.
• Homeowners should not invite children inside.
• Accept treats only in the doorway, not from anyone on the street.
• Parents should examine all candy before eating it.
• Plan your entire route and make sure that your family knows what it is.
• Be very cautious of strangers.
• Only trick-or-treat at homes that have their porch light on.
• Walk...don't run.
• Cross the street at the corner or in a crosswalk.
• Wear a watch.
• Don't play near lit jack-o-lanterns.
• Take a cell phone with you, if possible.
• Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. If wearing a mask, make sure that eye openings are big enough for peripheral vision.

Some Safety tips for the parents:

• Turn on your porch light.
• Move lit Jack-O-Lanterns off the porch where kids get bunched up if they are trick-or-treating in groups.
• Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.
• Drive slowly all evening...you never know what creature may suddenly cross your path.
• Report ANY suspicious or criminal activity to the police at 840-4000, or if necessary 911.

For adults who are celebrating there are some things to consider when creating that "perfect" Halloween Costume.

• Make sure that any accessories, such as fake guns, knifes, and other potentially dangerous items are not mistaken for the real thing.
• Fire safety and visibility are also important for adult costumes. Apply the same standards to adult costumes as you do to your children's.
• Remember adults that are dressed up can be pretty scary to young children.

For a really GREAT interactive Halloween Safety Game to play with your kids, visit the following link: http://www.halloweenmagazine.com/play2.html

And most of all, don't forget to have a...