Local law enforcement is reminding everyone to have a safe and Happy Halloween. Officials are offering some safety tips for adults and children before heading out to trick-or-treat this year. 

TRICK-OR-TREAT TIPS:

  • Be sure costumes are flame retardant.
  • Keep costume short to prevent tripping/falling (bumps in the night).
  • Try make up instead of a mask that may obstruct vision (when crossing streets and going up and down steps). Masks can also be hot.
  • Be sure kids wear light colored costumes or reflective tape on costumes so they can be seen by drivers.
  • Create a map of a safe trick or treat area. Set a time limit for the kids to go by.
  • Kids should stay in groups and parents should accompany young children.
  • Older kids should trick or treat with friends, and parents should KNOW where they are going.
  • Tell older kids to stop only at familiar houses and only when the lights are on.
  • Try to get your kids to trick or treat while it is still light out.
  • If it is dark out, make sure they take a flashlight with them.
  • Make sure children know their home address and telephone number(s).
  • Make sure children know how to use 9-1-1 properly.
  • Teach children how to say "NO" in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them.
  • Teach children not to approach vehicles.

ADULTS:

  • Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and any exterior lights on. 
  • Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps. 
  • Clear the porch and/or front yard of obstacles a child could trip over. 
  • Restrain household pets.
  • Use a glow stick in the Jack-O-Lantern instead of a candle to avoid a fire hazard. 
  • Patrol your neighborhood occasionally to discourage speeding motorists, acts of malicious mischief and/or crimes against children.
  • Report any and all suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency immediately.
  • Keep all of the doors locked at your home (even if you are just "out front" handing out candy). Halloween is a night when many homes are burglarized because parents are out with the kids.
  • Do not give out homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
CHILDREN:
  • Do not go inside anyone's home.
  • Do not accept rides from strangers.
  • Keep a safe distance from moving cars.
  • Cross the street only at street corners, never between parked cars, and never diagonally across an intersection.
  • Look in ALL directions before crossing a street. Obey all traffic signals. Walk, never run across the street.
  • Use sidewalks - NOT the street for walking.
  • Do not take shortcuts through back yards, alleys, or parks.
  • Do not eat any treat until your parent has inspected it.
  • Be cautious around pets and any other animals.
MOTORISTS:
  • Exercise extreme caution when operating your vehicle.
  • Be alert for excited youngsters whose vision may be obscured by masks. These children may inadvertently dart in front of your vehicle if unattended.
  • Slow down.