How to Have A Safe Halloween
Halloween is a favorite holiday for many and a fun time for kids. It’s important to remember to stay safe while still having fun. Here are some tips from a few sheriffs’ offices in Florida:
- Try to trick-or-treat in groups.
- Never allow small children to visit a door without a trusted adult.
- Teach children not to approach vehicles.
- Parents should always accompany trick-or-treaters, no matter how old the children are.
- Only approach well-lit homes where porch or exterior lights are on.
- Cross streets at the corner, never between parked cars or diagonally across an intersection.
- Avoid shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
- Eat only factory-wrapped treats, and never eat anything homemade from strangers.
- Examine all candy for choking hazards and tampering.
- Be cautious around pets and other animals.
- Keep costumes short to prevent tripping or falling.
- Wear light-colored costumes or add reflective tape to dark clothing.
- Have children carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen.
- Report all suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.
Motorists need to:
- Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
- 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.
For more great tips, visit these sheriffs' offices websites:
Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
Levy County Sheriff's Office
Columbia County Sheriff's Office