“We hate to be the ones to let the air out of the fun balloon, but there are things parents and children need to know before heading out for a fun evening of trick-or-treating,” said V. Glenn Fueston, Jr., Executive Director of GOCCP. “These are just a simple list of things to know before you go.”
Try your costume on before you go Trick-or-Treating; it should be light-colored and short enough that you don’t trip on it. You can decorate the costume with reflective tape or stickers so you can easily be seen at night.
Wear comfy shoes and make sure your laces are double-knotted to avoid tripping.
Avoid masks that make it hard to see your surroundings. Makeup is a good stand in for a mask.
Make a map of your trick-or-treating route before you head out.
Have a copy handy and make sure your parents have a copy.
Only stop at well-lit houses. Never go inside a stranger’s house; only accept treats in the doorway.
Stay on the sidewalk. If there is not a sidewalk available, walk facing oncoming traffic and keep a safe distance between you and the cars.
Stay away from jack-o-lanterns and candles while you are wearing your costume.
Make sure that your costume is made of a flame-retardant material. Go over the “Stop, Drop and Roll” routine before going trick-or-treating just in case.
Never trick-or-treat alone! Make sure you have at least two buddies to go with you.
Only cross the street at corners after looking both ways.
Never run between parked cars or crisscross back and forth across the street.
Carry a watch, flashlight, glow stick and cell phone if possible.
Agree on a time when you will be home – if you are going to be late, call your parents.
Always have a parent check your candy before you eat it.
Finally, visit this site for important safety information.
Halloween tips are part of 31 days of tips GOCCP is using to mark National Crime Prevention Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Anti-bullying/Cyberbullying Awareness Month, and National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. All month long, the agency is using its social media channels to post daily tips to help keep Marylanders safe. The hashtags used are #ASaferMD, #TipADay, #CrimePrevention.
