13 Safety Tips for Trick-Or-Treating in West Orange

Halloween can be one of the most unpredictable nights of the year, making safety tips especially important to local parents.

West Orange will be hosting a Trick or Treat Spooktacular tonight from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., to try to cut down potential danger to trick or treaters.

Halloween safety goes beyond staying alert on local streets. From choosing a safe costume, to keeping an eye out for traffic, here are some safety tips to help you and your little ghouls and goblins stay safe!

The Red Cross notes that Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and traffic accidents.

Safety Tips for Trick-Or-Treating Around West Orange

1) Look for flame-resistant costumes.

2) Beware of long costumes that can cause a trip and fall

3) Plan the Trick-or-Treat route and make sure adults know where children are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children as they make their way around the neighborhood.

4) Make sure the Trick-or-Treaters have a flashlight. Add reflective tape to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags. Have everyone wear light-colored clothing in order to be seen.

5) Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door – never go inside.

6) Consider using face paint instead of masks, which can cover the eyes and make it hard to see.

7) Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street and cross only at the corner. Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.

8) Be cautious around pets and any other animals.

Safety Tips for Welcoming Trick-or-Treaters to Your Door

9) If someone is welcoming Trick-or-Treaters at their home, they should make sure the outdoor light is on.

10) Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps.

11) Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.

12) Restrain any household pets.

13) Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.