Children in Halloween costumes
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Halloween can be a fun event for kids, but can also potentially become very dangerous for them, simply because most of the activities occur during the night time hours and on or near our busy roadways.

For those driving on Halloween, please be mindful of your surroundings at all times due to the number of trick-or-treaters on our sidewalks, streets, and crosswalks.  Please take a break from using your cell phone, texting, or from any other distraction that takes your mind and eyes off the road.

Setting guidelines or rules for your children and participating with them will help make this year’s trick or treating safe and fun for everyone.  Below are some helpful tips:

Costumes

  • Costumes should be bright and reflective. Shoes should fit well and costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  • Costumes, wigs and accessories should be flame resistant.
  • Eye holes in costumes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.
  • Add reflective tape or striping to costumes and/or trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Costume props such as toy guns or swords should be made of pliable material and realistic replica firearms should never be used.
  • Avoid cumbersome masks. Use make-up instead.
  • All children and their escorts should have flashlights with fresh batteries.
  • Place the child’s name, phone number and address on the inside of costume and/or on a bracelet in case the child becomes lost or injured.

Tips for Trick-or-Treating

  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children when they are trick-or-treating.
  • It is preferable for children to trick-or-treat during daylight hours. Dusk is the time of poorest visibility for drivers.
  • Children should trick-or-treat in a group, preferably with a responsible adult.
  • Advise children they should never enter a stranger’s home.
  • Children trick-or-treating should obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.
  • Children should only trick-or-treat in well-known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.
  • Children trick-or-treating should remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.  Never cut across yards or use alleys.
  • Children trick-or-treating should have specific time limits.
  • Instruct children not to eat any treats or candy until it has been brought home and inspected.
  • Children should be told to walk, don’t run, from house to house.
  • When trick-or-treating, don’t allow children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard.
  • Children should not approach unfamiliar pets and animals.

After Trick-or-Treating

  • Unpackaged trick-or-treat items such as popcorn or small candies should be discarded.
  • All fruit should be cut and carefully examined before eating.
  • Examine all treats for choking hazards.
  • Discard any wrapped treat that appears to have been tampered with.

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