Halloween Safety for Trick-or-Treaters
Keep the kids safe with these trick-or-treating ground rules.
To get the most out of trick-or-treating, teach children to be safe and use good common sense. Listed below are some general safety tips for parents and the little trick-or-treaters from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
For trick-or-treaters:
• If you feel unsafe, take along an adult.
• Do NOT ride a bicycle. Your costume could get hung up in it.
• Carry a flash light.
• Walk on a sidewalk.
• If a sidewalk is not available, walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
• Cross busy streets at an intersection or cross walk.
• Be sure to look both ways (twice) before crossing the street.
• Walk, don't run.
• Take off your mask while walking from house to house.
• It is a good idea to wear clothing with reflective tape.
• If you wear a mask, be sure you can see out of it clearly.
• Be very cautious of STRANGERS.
• Only stop by houses that have their front porch light on.
• Accept treats only in the doorway. NEVER go into the house.
• Let your parents check your treats before you eat them.
• NEVER eat unwrapped candy, opened candy or fruit given to you on Halloween.
For parents:
• Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
• Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions. Set a time limit.
• 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.
• Feed the kids before they go so they will be less likely to eat the treats before they get home. Warn them not to eat anything before you inspect it.
• Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
• Pin a slip of paper with the child's name; address and phone number inside a pocket in case the child gets separated from the group.
• Welcome trick-or-treaters with your porch lights and any exterior lights on.
• Patrol your street occasionally to discourage speeding motorists, acts of malicious mischief and crimes against children.
• Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your police department immediately; you can dial 9-1-1.
• Candlelit jack-o-lanterns should be kept clear of doorsteps and landings.
• Consider using flashlights instead of candles to light jack-o-lanterns.
• Keep pets away from doors so children will not become frightened.
