It is that time of year where dinosaurs, superheroes, and Disney characters will be walking the neighborhoods. Halloween may be a fun holiday for children, but for parents the holiday can be a little tricky. To help parents and children have a safe and enjoyable Halloween, the Indiana State Police Pendleton District offers the following tips:
The Costume
- Keep costumes short to prevent little ones from trips and falls.
- Try makeup instead of a mask. Masks often obstruct a child’s vision, which makes tasks like crossing the street and going up and down stairs dangerous.
- Make sure children wear light colors and avoid black to make sure they can be seen easily.
Trick or Treating
- Have an adult accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
- Make sure older children trick-or-treat with friends. Together map out a safe route so parents know where they will be.
- Remind your children never to enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
- Encourage children to trick-or-treat while it’s still light out. If children are out after dark, make sure they have flashlights, glow sticks, and travel on well lighted streets.
- Follow your communities trick-or-treating hours.
Treats
- Remind children not to eat any of their treats until they get home.
- Check out all treats at home in a well-lighted area.
- Only eat unopened candies and other treats that are in the original packaging. Remember to inspect fruits for anything suspicious.
Motorists
- 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.
- Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.
Additionally, many communities, schools and churches offer children safe alternatives to trick-or-treating designed to keep children safely within parents’ view. Some hospitals and schools allow children to trick-or-treat by going from room to room virtually eliminating the dangers associated with being out walking on the streets after dark.