Before (Trick-or-Treating)
- Consider purchasing non-food treats for Trick-or-Treaters
- Eat a good meal before Trick-or-Treating so children do not eat Halloween treats
- Remind children and escorts (an adult or 13 years of age or older) to not eat any items until after and an adult checks their treats
- Remind children and escorts to never run between parked vehicles and cross streets at crosswalks
- Remind children and escorts to not enter homes, apartments or car of strangers
- Again, remind children and escorts of the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.
- Remind them of a specific time when they are to return home
- Prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds. Be sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags
- Drivers must remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community
During (Trick-or-Treating)
- A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. Remind Trick-or-Treaters:
- To use flashlights so they can be seen by others
- Stay in a group and know where they will be
- Only go to homes with a porch light on
- Walk on sidewalks that have well-lit streets
- If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic
- Never cut across lawns or use alleys
- Never go into a stranger's home or car for a treat
- Obey all traffic and pedestrian rules
- Always walk. Never run when crossing a street
- Only cross the street at crosswalks
- Take off any mask or item that can block vision before crossing a street, driveway or alley
- Drivers may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean other cars will!
- Never eat unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered
- If you see suspicious activity call police
After (Trick-or-Treating)
- Once children are home, sort and check treats. Tampering is rare, but a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items. Remember, when in doubt ~ throw it out!
- Try to portion treats for the days after Halloween
- Make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age