Enjoy Halloween – But Safety First

This year, Halloween falls on Monday, Oct. 31, which means it’s time for residents to prepare for little goblins and ghosts to be out for a night of fun in every community. Naperville has posted some safety tips on celebrating the holiday, but we believe this guide will come in handy for pretty much everyone.  The Police Department recommends that young children end trick-or-treating when it begins to get dark and older children end trick-or-treating by 8 p.m. so that Halloween is a safe, fun and festive time for all.

Safety First

• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to a Police Department in your town immediately by dialing 911.
• There is safety in numbers. A responsible adult should always accompany young children and make sure older kids trick-or-treat with friends.
• If older children are going trick-or-treating without you, create a map of a safe trick-or-treating route in familiar areas. It is always best to keep the activity to your own neighborhood. Agree on a specific time they should be home as well as pre-set check in times.
• Do not go inside anyone’s home. Remain on the porch at all times.
• Parents should know where registered sex offenders live to avoid placing children in a risky situation.
• Do not accept rides from anyone, including people you know, without checking first with a trusted adult.
• Children should remember to look both ways before crossing the street and to cross at corners only. Use sidewalks, not the street, for walking. Be sure to “Stop, Look and Listen.” Never run between parked vehicles.
• Do not take shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
• Carry a fully charged cell phone for quick communication and review how to call 911 in an emergency.

Motorists

• Exercise extreme caution and avoid distractions when driving a vehicle, especially during the popular trick-or-treating hours of 4 to 8 p.m.
• Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting out into traffic.
• Don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service, cab company, or public transportation. Drive sober or get pulled over.

Costumes

• Make sure costumes are flame retardant.
• Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls and contact with flames.
• Avoid costumes that are overly scary or that require “weapons” of any kind.
• Make sure kids wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes. Glow sticks and flashlights are also fun ways to light the way.

Treats

• Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
• An adult should inspect all candy in a well-lit place and discard any homemade or unwrapped treats.
• Eat only unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers.

Source: www.naperville.il.us