Halloween Safety

As your family prepares for a night of costumes and candy on Halloween, keep these safety tips in mind.

• Young children should not trick-or-treat alone. Try to go in a group of children with adult supervision.
• Older children should plan a safe route so parents know where they will be at all times as well as when they will be home. Make sure they have a cell phone to contact in case of emergency.
• Make sure you wear reflective tape on your costume or carry a flashlight, or glow stick to make you more visible to cars.
• Do not cut through fields or back alleys. Make sure you stay in populated areas.
• Stop only at houses where the lights are on.
• Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.
• Never go into the home or get in the car of a stranger.
• Walk, don’t run. Stay on well-lit streets and walk on the sidewalk. Use a crosswalk when available and never cross the street between cars.
• Always cross the street at the corner and look left – right - left before you cross.
• Make sure your mask fits properly and the eye holes allow you to see fully. Don’t wear a mask that is too loose as it can slip and block your vision. Consider using non-toxic makeup instead.
• Don’t let your costume drag on the ground.
• Only carry flexible knives, swords or other props.
• Stay away from jack-o’ lanterns if they have a candle in them.
• Have parents look at the candy you collect throughout the night prior to eating it.