Halloween Safety Tips

By Owen Boss and Adam Roberts

Halloween is a day of fun and excitement for kids, but it's important to be safe on October 31.

Here are some tips for parents, residents and drivers:

Parents

• Make sure an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12. It's best to take the little ones out early.
• Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow and know the names of older children's companions.
• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along established routes.
• Cross only at corners; never dart out between parked cars.
• Cover one side of the street at a time, no crisscrossing.
• Never accept a ride in a car.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and NEVER to enter a stranger's home.
• Establish a return time. Know the neighborhoods they will be visiting. Have the children stay in groups.
• Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home and the treats are checked by an adult.
• Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety rules and precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
• Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

• Make sure your own home is well-lit and that there is a clear path to the door. Items such as bicycles, lawn furniture, electrical cords and Halloween decorations can trip Trick-or-Treaters walking in the dark.

• Watch for children and adults darting from between parked cars.
• Watch for children and adults walking in roadways, along sidewalks and in parking areas.
• Enter and exit driveways, side streets and alleys carefully.