Halloween Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips -Check your local newspaper for the date and times allowed for trick-ortreating (I googled this for Harnett County and was unable to find a specific date, even on the local tv stations’ sites, so I am sure it’s on Halloween night this year, especially since that’s a Friday.) Remember, peak trick-ortreating hours are 5:30 PM until 8:30 PM. -Have kids carry a flashlight so they can easily be seen by others. -Stay in a group, walk slowly, and have an adult with the group at all times. -Only trick-or-treat in well known areas and at homes that have a porch light on. If there is a sign asking people not to trick-or-treat, or if the porch light is turned off, do not trick-or-treat at that residence. -Teach your kids to NEVER enter a stranger’s car or home for a treat. -Have kids wear clothing with reflective markings or tape. Decorate pumpkins and treat holders with reflective tape –if possible put a reflective tape strip down the back of your kids’ costumes. -Don’t dress kids in costumes or masks that make it difficult for them to see where they’re going. -Have kids wear flame-retardant costumes. -Do not allow kids to eat any treats until you have thoroughly checked them. -Slow down in residential neighborhoods when driving on Halloween night, and watch for children walking and crossing streets. -Enter and exit driveways, entryways, and exits slowly and carefully. -Drive with full headlights on to spot children more easily. -Have kids wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes to prevent trips and falls. -Stop at all street corners and look both ways before crossing streets – and teach kids to walk, not run. -Don’t let kids dart out into streets or cross between parked cars. -Take special care to have kids stay away from jack o’lanterns and other decorations using real candles. -To be safest, use battery-operated lights in pumpkins and other decorations. Throw out damaged lights and don’t overload extension cords.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!