Everyone has a role in protecting those costumed trick-or-treaters that soon will be walking along streets and in neighborhoods in search of candy to fill their Halloween sacks.
Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame reminds motorists who will be driving along those same streets and in those same neighborhoods to keep a watchful eye out for pedestrians. And he has some advice for parents as well, as they prepare costumes and accompany their children trick-or-treating.
“Halloween is a fun time in Vance County,” Brame said in a press statement with a long list of suggestions for holiday revelers. “But let’s make it a safe time as well. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes.“
The Sheriff reminds all Vance County residents to follow these tips for a safe Halloween:
Drivers should be especially careful as they enter and exit driveways, especially after the sun has gone down.
All children under age 12 should be with a responsible older youth or adult and children should always remain in groups while trick-or-treating. Wait until you get home to eat any treats, and only stop at homes that are well-lit. Never enter the home or apartment of a stranger.
Below is the sheriff’s complete list of suggestions and advice for a safe and fun Halloween:
Motorists:
- Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
Parents:
- While on the prowl for treats, make sure an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising children under 12.
- Check the sex offender registry at www.NCSBI.gov when planning your child’s trick-or-treat route. You can view maps that pinpoint registered offenders’ addresses in your neighborhood and sign up to get email alerts when an offender moves nearby.
- Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children’s companions.
- Make sure older kids trick-or-treat in a group.
- Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
- 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.
- Tell your youngsters not to eat any treats until they return home.
- Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
- All children need to know their home telephone number and how to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.
- Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address, and telephone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
Technology Tips:
- Make sure any older children who are trick-or-treating alone have a fully charged cellphone to carry with them.
- Be sure to check your children’s cellphones and turn tracking features off on cellphone mobile applications not solely accessed by parents so strangers will not be able to access your children’s location.
- Parents of children who have cell phones may consider having children turn on a mobile tracking application such as Find My Friends or Life360 that allow only individuals selected by parents to safely track their whereabouts.
- Parents of children who do not have a cell phone may consider allowing children to wear or carry a Bluetooth tracking device with controlled access to your child’s location.
- Remind your children not to wear headphones or earbuds so they can hear cars approaching on the road.
- Know when witches and superheroes are outside your front door by using a motion-activated doorbell or mounted cameras like Ring or Nest to notify you of their presence.
- Also consider using motion sensor lighting around your home to keep trick-or- treaters safe and help alert you when ghosts and goblins are approaching.
Costume Design:
- Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
- Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
- Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard.
- Make sure that shoes fit well to prevent trips and falls.
- Be safe and be seen. If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
Face Design:
- Do not use masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision. Use facial make-up instead.
- When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled “Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested,” “Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,” or “Non-Toxic.” Follow manufacturer’s instruction for application.
- If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
Accessories:
- If your child dresses up as a pirate, ninja or in any other costume that includes accessories like knives and sword, be sure accessories are made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
- Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
- Carrying flashlights with fresh batteries will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
- If children are carrying cell phones, remind them of the flashlight feature available on most smart phones.
While Trick-or-Treating:
- Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
- While everyone is excited for candy, make sure children walk instead of run from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
- Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
- Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, if there are no sidewalks.
Treats:
- Give children an early meal before going out.
- Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
- Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces.
- Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or partially wrapped or has a strange odor, color, or texture.
Homeowners/Decorations:
- Keep candles and jack o’ lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
- Remove obstacles from lawns, steps, and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.
- Keep candles and jack o’ lanterns away from curtains, decorations, and other combustibles that could catch fire.
Don’t let ghosts and spirits in by leaving your home unattended.