Tips to help keep Halloween activities safe

Halloween is an exciting time for children of all ages and even some adults. People who love the spooktacular season get to dress up in their favorite costume and have a frightfully good time. Whether going Trick-or-Treating or to a Halloween party, there are some important precautions that should take in order for you and your child to stay safe. 

— Know our location. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Have a designated route and make sure that someone else also knows the direction in which you are heading. It is a sad fact, but Trick-or-Treating can be dangerous. If your teenager is out for a night of fun, make it a point to know where he or she is at all times, and know who they are with. Try to avoid going into strange neighbor- hoods or heading off without letting someone know your plans. 

— Stay in contact: Make sure that your cell phone is charged and working properly before heading out. Emergencies hap- pen. 

— Check the Candy/Food: Halloween can be an especially dangerous time. Be sure to check any and all candy your child collects. 

If you suspect that the candy might have been tampered with, discard it. “When in doubt, throw it out!”. 

If your teen or you are out at a Halloween party, be sure to avoid accepting drinks from strangers or returning to drinks or food that have been left un- attended even for a brief moment. Predators have been known to slip drugs into their victim’s food and drinks. 

— Look out for young Trick- or-Treaters: Drive slow and be on the look out for younger Trick-or-Treaters. Halloween masks can obscure vision. Take extra special precautions when backing out of driveways as small children can be difficult to see and may run up behind cars without looking. 

— Stay with the group: Don’t be out alone or wandering off into secluded places. It is al- ways wiser to travel in a group. 

— Wear Reflective colors: Wear bright colors or reflective vests. You can even opt to put reflective tape on your child’s outfit. This will help to make your child visible to motorists or others if they should happen to still be out after dark. 

Enjoy all the ghoulish activi- ties that Halloween has to offer. However, be sure to make safety a priority as Hal- loween can be a dangerous time of year.