6 Tips Police Want Local Trick-or-Treaters to Know

While some kids may have already got their sugar fill, others will be hitting the streets tonight to add to their growing mounds of candy.

The Chicago Police Department is, therefore, urging parents, adults and children to remember some simple, common-sense safety tips while trick-or-treating this Halloween.  

One of the safest ways to celebrate is to attend a sponsored, supervised event, police said, such as this past weekend's Boo-Palooza in Wicker Park.

But if children plan to trick-or-treat on Halloween night, police want parents to keep the following tips in mind before hitting the streets:

1. Trick-or-treat activities should be limited to daylight hours in familiar neighborhoods. Parents or guardians should accompany small children at all times.  
2. Children should dress in light-colored costumes or have reflectors placed on dark clothing. Painted make-up is considered safer than a mask and is less restrictive to a child’s vision.  
3. Accept sealed or wrapped treats only. An adult should inspect all items before allowing children to partake.  
4. Never enter abandoned buildings, deserted areas or other places, which are out of the public view. Children should be reminded not to talk to strangers and never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle.  
5. Obey all traffic rules, such as crossing streets at corners and not between cars in the middle of the block. Motorists should exercise extra caution when driving on neighborhood streets and pay particular attention to the possibility of trick-or-treaters darting into traffic. 
6. Citizens should call 911 to report any suspicious activities or acts of vandalism.

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