Soon area streets will be filled with little ghosts, goblins and witches trick-or-treating this Halloween.
“Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common-sense practices can keep events safer and more fun,” said Sheriff Donald Hill of Polk County.
The sheriff reminds all Polk County residents to follow these safety tips:
Motorists
• Watch for children darting out from between parked cars, 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.
Parents
• Make sure an adult or an older responsible youth will supervise the outing for children under age 12.
• Check the sex offender registry at www.ncdoj.gov when planning your child’s trick-or-treat route. You can view maps that pinpoint registered offenders’ addresses in your neighborhood and sign up to get email alerts when an offender moves nearby.
• Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children’s companions.
• Make sure older kids trick-or-treat in a group.
• Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
• Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.
• Establish a return time.
• Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
• Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
• All children need to know their home telephone number and how to call 911 in case of emergency.
• Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address and telephone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
Face design
• Do not use masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision. Use facial make-up instead.
• When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled “Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested,” “Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics” or “Non-Toxic.” Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application.
• If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
Accessories
• Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
• Carrying flashlights with fresh batteries will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
While trick-or-treating
• Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
• Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
Treats
• Give children an early meal before going out.
• Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
• Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces.
• Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or partially wrapped, or has a strange odor, color or texture.
“Halloween is a fun time in Polk County,” Sheriff Hill said, “But let’s make it a safe time as well. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes. “
– article submitted
by Sheriff Donald Hill