Keeping little goblins & ghouls safe on their way through Carmel

The City of Carmel’s official hours of trick-or-treating will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Homes welcoming trick-or-treaters should turn on their porch lights. If you do not wish to participate, or run out of treats, please turn off your porch lights.

While there are many neighborhoods and other organizations that hold their own Halloween events and celebrations, those who want to trick-or-treat door-to-door should use the city’s official hours to do so. Earlier this year, residents who participated in a survey voted to keep Halloween on Oct. 31 as it has been in prior years.

The city would also like to remind residents of a few guidelines and proper safety procedures to follow for a safer celebration. While preparing for Halloween festivities, there are several important safety tips to keep in mind:

• Motorists should drive with extra caution and keep an eye out for “little goblins” roaming the neighborhood.
• Adults should always accompany their children and use a flashlight at night, staying within their own neighborhood and known homes. The use of glow sticks or reflective tape on costumes can also help with visibility.
• Watch for traffic before crossing any street.
• Avoid costumes that are long, which could cause tripping or costumes that have hard plastic or wood props like swords that could be a hazard.
• Face paint is often a safer alternative to masks that may obstruct vision.
• It is also important to inspect candy before allowing children to have it; dispose of any candy that is unwrapped.