Halloween is a favorite time of year for many, but there can be dangers associated with the holiday.
As some just will be heading out with mom or dad, there are also a few who will get together with friends to venture out in the neighborhood on their own.
“The most popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours,” advised Paris Police Officer Curtis Garrett.
Here are a few safety tips that parents and kids should follow as they venture out tonight:
Tips for parents:
– Before you let the kids lose to scavenge the neighborhood, make sure they have a fully charged cell phone and that you pre-load local law enforcement numbers into their phone in case of an emergency. For Lamar County Sheriff’s Office; 903-737-2400, Paris Police Department; 903-784-6688, Reno Police Department; 903-785-1744. –
– Don’t forget to talk with your kids before they go out and explain what situations require them to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency.
– Ensure you are aware of who your kids are trick or treating with, even high schoolers. Parents should encourage their kids to travel in groups of three or more. And if you can grab the cell phone number for each child, your kid is trick or treating with.
“Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups,” said Garrett.
– Talk to your kids and explain to them what constitutes suspicious activity and what to look out for that should they come across the need to call for help, or how to get to somewhere safely and quickly to report to law enforcement.
– Invest in a cheap flashing light or use some silver duct tape to attach to costumes that will highlight your child as they trick or treat. This allows your child to be more visible to drivers in the dark.
– Encourage your kids to use road safety and to take their time crossing roads and look both ways before crossing.
– Encourage your child not to accept any homemade candies.
– When your child gets home, check the bag for any dangerous or suspicious-looking candy.
– Only let your kids trick or treat with a responsible person or be sure YOU know each person/kid they will be out with.
– Know where your kids are going; know their route.
Tips for Kids and Parents:
– Only go to houses with porch lights lit.
– Do not go into the homes of people you or your parents don’t know very well, even if you are invited. Just say, no!
– Do not take handmade candies.
– Be road safe, and practice safe procedures when crossing the street at dark. Look both ways and wait for traffic to clear.
– Walk on sidewalks, not in the middle of the road.
– Don’t run or rush across the street, even if you are excited, stay calm and look carefully, so you don’t trip or fall in a shadow.
– If something looks suspicious when you are out, call your parents or your local law enforcement officials.
– Ask mom or dad to put emergency numbers in your phone in case you need to call for help.
– Stay with your group; don’t go off with anyone. Leave together, return home together.
– If you see someone following you, call 911. And stay in a well-lit area, preferably where there are other people and don’t leave/hang up the phone until your parents or a police officer is with you.
– Make sure you have your cell phone, and it is on you and easy to grab if you need to use it.
– Make sure your child’s cell phone is fully charged before leaving the house.
– Take a flashlight with you.
Tips for everyone:
– If you are headed out to a party, don’t drink and drive, find a sober driver. Remember that Dillons Drivers work on weekends and are a safe way for you to get home.
– Be cautious on the road as many kids will be out and excited to trick or treat. Be vigilant in watching the sides of the streets as we want all kids to get home safely.
– Property owners move your pumpkins closer into your yard. You don’t want to fall victim to any minor Halloween pranks that may happen.
– Move your cars into your driveway if you can. Again it could fall victim to a Halloween prank. Also, it will create a clear view for drivers and trick or treaters to see any traffic and not be hidden.
– If you want to hand out candy, make sure your walkway is clear, and there is a bright porch light for trick or treaters.
Halloween is an exciting time for kids and adults alike, from getting done up in costumes to collecting all the candy that will fit in a bag. But, you do need to have a plan in place, a route in place, and of course above all, be safe.
With trick or treating for kids, there are also the Halloween parties going on; history has proven that many DUI tickets have been issued in high volume areas where kids are going house to house.
Be safe, and don’t drink and drive!
Officer Garrett also stressed for drivers out and about during the night of Halloween, to make sure you take out distractions from your vehicle and take that extra time to move through an intersection. He said with children being so excited they move in unpredictable ways.
Also, don’t forget to turn your headlights on earlier in the evening.
Above all, don’t forget to enjoy your trick or treating night out this Halloween.
