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Crime Prevention Tip Halloween Safety Tips
As Halloween is fast approaching, there are always concerns about safety. Although children look forward to tricks, treats, and ghoulish garb, Halloween can be fraught with fright for parents, with candy given to their children by strangers and a legion of masked and costumed trick-or-treaters at the door.
To ensure that trick-or-treaters, you and your house stay safe, and for kids to have fun, remember the following tips.
"UNHAUNTING" Your House and Neighborhood - Clear your yard and sidewalk of any obstacles or decorations that may be hard to see in the dark, or could present a hazard to visitors;
- Welcome trick-or-treaters to your home by turning on your exterior lights;
- If you are not giving out treats, or are leaving your home unattended on Halloween night, do leave an interior light on to indicate that someone is home;
- Never invite trick-or-treaters into your home;
- Ask your Neighborhood Watch or citizen's group to patrol the community;
- Drive slowly all evening - you never know what creature may suddenly cross you path;
- Involve older students to be 'witch's helpers' by helping trick-or-treaters cross busy streets and to watch out for ghoulish behavior;
- Keep pets inside your home, or another safe place on Halloween night;
- Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your local police service.
Making Safe Costumes -
Check that costumes are light-colored and flame retardant so there is no danger near candlelit jack-o-lanterns and other fire hazards; - Keep costumes short and comfortable to prevent trips, fall, and other bumps in the night;
- Encourage kids to wear comfortable shoes;
- Try makeup instead of a mask. Masks can be hot and uncomfortable and, more importantly, they can obstruct a child's vision - a dangerous thing when kids are crossing streets and going up and down steps;
- Props such as toy guns or swords should be made of pliable material and realistic replica firearms should never be used;
- Place reflective tape on their costumes, or wear reflectors.
Preparing Ghosts and Goblins for Their Tricks and Treats -
Children should trick-or-treat during daylight hours; - Children should never be allowed to go out alone on Halloween;
- Make sure older kids go out with friends and stay together, and younger children should be accompanied by an adult;
- Set a specific time limit for your children to be out on Halloween night;
- If you live in a rural area, offer all kids a ride in the car;
- Parents should know the route their children will be taking;
- Children should always use sidewalks, not the street, for walking;
- Children should look in all directions before crossing the street;
- Advise children that they should never enter a strangers' home;
- Children should never accept rides form strangers;
- Children should never take shortcuts through backyards or alleys;
- Children should never eat any treats until they have been examined;
- All fruit should be cut and closely examined before eating;
- Give wrapped homemade treats only to children you know;
- Adult escorts should carry flashlights.
And
Don't forget the time change on November 1st, 2015.
Set your clocks back one hour from 2 am to 1 am.
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