Having a safe Halloween will make happy lasting memories for you and your children.  The excitement of Halloween sometimes makes children forget to be careful.  Remind your children of the basic everyday safety tips such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers and to look both ways when crossing the street.  Here are some more easy tips to keep your child safe this Halloween:

• Have at least one adult with trick or treaters as they go door to door.
• Trick or treat only in familiar neighborhoods, preferably at the homes of people you know.  Only visit homes where the lights are on.
• Trick or treat in groups.  Do not allow the children to go back and forth across a street.  Stay on the same side of the street for several houses and cross only at corners.
• Children should not run between parked cars or from behind buildings into the street.
• Trick or treat while it is still light outside or choose a well lit street after dark.
• Stay on sidewalks or walk alongside the left side of the road.
• Children should carry a flashlight or glowstick so they can be more visible to cars.
• Choose a costume that fits snugly and is made of flame retardant materials.  Wearing a strip of reflective tape will make the costume more visible.  A mask will inhibit a child’s vision.  If a mask is to be worn, the eye holes should be large enough for peripheral vision. Face paint is much safer and just as much fun.
• If your child has a prop, make sure it is flexible enough not to cause injury if fallen upon.
• Always inspect treats closely and keep only factory wrapped candy.  Throw any treats away if there is any doubt about it.  Treating your child to a spooky Halloween dinner will make them less likely to eat the candy they collect before you get a chance to check it for them.
• If you set Jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure they are far enough out of the way so that your trick or treaters costumes won’t accidentally catch on fire.
• Explain to the children the difference between tricks and vandalism.  Throwing eggs at a house may seem like fun but damages can ruin Halloween for everyone. Vandalism is not acceptable and is illegal.
• Pets should stay secured at your home.  Costumed children can be scary to pets.  Dogs on leashes can trip children or cause safety issues in someone else’s yard.
• Notify the Sheriff’s Office immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Using these safety tips will help prepare you for a safe and enjoyable night of make-believe.  Happy Halloween!!!