Tag Archive for: #halloweensafetytips

Follow These Tips To Keep Trick-Or-Treaters Safe On Halloween

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— From the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

The Halloween holiday is quickly approaching, and many in Vance County have already been participating in fun and spooky activities. Before you head out to participate in trick-or-treating, haunted houses or costume parties, keep in mind these tips from Sheriff Curtis R. Brame to help you and your family stay safe while you enjoy the festivities.

If you plan to go out in search of treats, parents and guardians should take the time to check their local sex offender registry at https://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov/. At this webpage you can view a map of registered sex offenders’ addresses in your area and also set up an alert that will notify you if a sex offender moves to your area.

Once you have determined the best route for treat-seeking, Sheriff Curtis R. Brame hopes you will follow these basic safety tips to keep your little ghouls and goblins safe:

  • When choosing a Halloween costume, pick one with bright colors or add reflective tape so children can be seen in low light.
  • Make sure masks or costumes do not obstruct vision or movement.
  • Always make sure there is an adult present with younger kids while trick-or-treating, and older kids know to only visit familiar areas.
  • Never accept homemade treats, even if it is from a home in a familiar neighborhood.
  • Carefully inspect all candy at home before eating. Discard any that have been previously opened, tampered with, or have labels that do not appear to be from the original manufacturer.
  • Only approach homes that are brightly lit.

Unfortunately, Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians, so if you plan to be driving around your neighborhood amongst the spooky trick-or-treaters, make sure to remain vigilant to prevent unnecessary tragedy. When driving on Halloween, remember:

  • Make sure your headlights are on.
  • Take an extra look at crosswalks and intersections for groups of trick-or-treaters crossing the road.
  • Drive slowly through residential areas, even if you do not see any trick-or-treaters.
  • Watch for children who may dart into the street.
  • Do not text and drive. It is against the law in North Carolina.
  • Do not wear costumes while driving that may obstruct your vision or make it difficult for you to react quickly behind the wheel.

If you plan to stay inside and hand out candy rather than joining the festive crowds, you can still help keep little ones safe:

  • Keep your porch and driveway clear of any tripping hazards.
  • Make sure your porch is well lit for trick-or-treaters.
  • Only hand out unopened, pre-packaged candy and treats.
  • Avoid potential fire-related accidents by using battery operated candles or glow sticks in your jack-o-lanterns and other décor.
  • Make sure all pets are contained when you open your door.

“Halloween is a great time for families and friends to celebrate the fall season, which means there may be a large number of people out and about enjoying the festivities,” noted Sheriff Curtis R. Brame. “It is important to take extra precautions on busy holidays like this one to help you and everyone in our community can have a safe and enjoyable time. We can work together to make sure that the only scary thing about this Halloween is the spooky decorations and ghoulish costumes!”

Contact the Sheriff’s Office at 252.738.2200 to learn more.

Granville County Sheriff

Granville County Sheriff Offers Tips for a Safe Halloween

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Granville County Government

Although Halloween may be celebrated differently this year, there are ways to enjoy safe trick-or-treating. The Granville County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to follow common-sense practices, along with adhering to statewide health requirements.

In some communities across the county, traditional house-to-house trick-or-treating is at the discretion of individual households and neighborhoods. If choosing to participate, the Sheriff’s Office asks that door-to-door treats – where candy is handed out to children – be limited. Also, please use hand sanitizer between visits. Households are encouraged to have hand sanitizer readily available, as a precautionary measure.

The Sheriff also reminds trick-or-treaters that a costume mask is no substitute for a protective cloth mask. Please remember to cover the mouth and nose, as required by the Centers for Disease Control, for the most effective protection from COVID-19. Social distancing is also required, as mandated by the State of North Carolina.

Other safety tips include:

  1. Costumes should not include any sharp objects;
  2. Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes;
  3. Carry a flashlight or glow stick after dark;
  4. Only visit homes with the porch light on;
  5. Don’t go inside anyone’s home;
  6. Travel only in familiar areas and along an established route;
  7. Watch for obstacles on lawns, steps or porches
  8. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully;
  9. Walk, don’t run, from house to house;
  10. Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or has a strange odor, color or texture.

“The Halloween season has always been filled with enjoyment,” said Sheriff Charles R. Noblin, Jr. “If choosing to participate in trick-or-treating in your neighborhood this year, let’s make it a fun and safe experience for everyone.”

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office is now open in their new location at 525 New Commerce Drive in Oxford, in the newly-constructed Law Enforcement Center. For any questions or for more information, their phone number remains the same at (919) 693-3213, or you can send emails to granville.sheriff@granvillecounty.org.

Trick or Treat

Halloween Safety Tips From Vance Co. Sheriff Curtis Brame

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office

Soon our streets will be scattered with little ghosts, goblins, and witches trick-or-treating for Halloween. “Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment and following some common-sense practices can keep events safer and more fun,” said Sheriff Curtis Brame of Vance County. 

The Sheriff reminds all Vance County residents to follow these safety tips:

COVID-19

  • Follow State and County health policies.
  • Limit participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door-to-door.
  • Halloween costume masks are not suitable to provide COVID-19 protection.
  • Promote the use of hand sanitizer by trick-or-treaters and their families. 
  • Announce if there are any curfews in place.
  • Encourage social distancing. 
  • Decline trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots.
  • Do not attend crowded costume parties held indoors.
  • Avoid going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
  • Discourage going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household. 

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

  • Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
  • Check the sex offender registry at www.ncdoj.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/traffic safety rules.
  • All children need to know their home telephone number and how to call 9-1-1 in case of an 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.

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. 
  • 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 the manufacturer’s instructions for application.
  • If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes. 

Accessories 

  • Knives, swords, and other accessories should be 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. 

While Trick-or-Treating

  • Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
  • Walk; do not 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.
  • Do not leave your house unattended.

“Halloween is a fun time in Vance County,” Sheriff Brame concluded, “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.”