Halloween Safety Tips from Media Police

It's trick-or-treat time on Thursday. Follow these safety tips from Media Police for a safe and fun Halloween. 

• A responsible adult should accompany each group of Trick-or-Treaters.
• Walk, don’t run while going Trick-or-Treating. Stay in your own neighborhood, and only go to houses that have their porch lights on.  Never enter a stranger’s home.
• Keep costumes short to prevent trips, falls and other bumps in the night.  Encourage children to wear comfortable, regular shoes instead of oversized “clown” or fancy shoes.
• Check that costumes are flame-retardant so the little ones aren’t in danger near candle-lit jack-o-lanterns or other fire hazards. Props should be made of styrofoam or cardboard.
• Costumes should be made of white or light-colored material, to be easily seen at night.  Reflective patches or strips can be added to the costume.  Glow sticks are also a fun addition to a costume and children like to carry them. At least one person in every group should carry a flashlight. Make sure at least one person in the group brings a cell phone with them.
• Wear make-up instead of a mask. Masks can be hot and uncomfortable and, more importantly, can obstruct a child’s vision—a dangerous thing when kids are crossing streets and going up and down steps.
• Never eat any treats until after you are home and the treats have been examined by an adult.
• Throw away anything that is unwrapped. Check the wrappers of commercial treats for signs of tampering.
• Call 911 and notify the police immediately of any suspicious, unsafe or criminal activity while you are out Trick-or-Treating, or if you discover anything suspicious or harmful while examining treats at home.