A group of police officers from the MPD-Mt. Moriah Precinct engaged Wednesday, October 30, with K-2 students at Fox Meadows Elementary School to provide some safety tips on Trick or Treat so they can have fun safely on Halloween.

The kids had a great time while learning from the police officers how to have fun safely on Halloween night. In the meantime, the police officers enjoyed spending some valuable time at the school sharing their knowledge with the youth.

Halloween can be one of the most fun and festive nights of the year – but only if you celebrate safely! Halloween safety involves everyone – children, parents, neighbors, and motorists should be aware of the dangers associated with this exciting celebration.

In fact, children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other night of the year. Halloween can indeed be scary, with increases in pedestrian injuries, burns and falls among children. Therefore, it is recommended to follow these safety tips during Trick-or-Treat:

For Parents:

• Encourage group outings with adult supervision, and participate in the excitement of planning the outing.
• Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Older children should be supervised by an adult.
• Set a trick-or-treat route.
• Talk to your children about stranger's safety rules  (including unknown adults in costumes).
• Make sure your child eats a healthy dinner to avoid excessive candy consumption.
• Costumes should be comfortable, flame resistant, colorful, and have attached reflective strips for good visibility.
• Any costume props (such as swords) should be made of flexible plastic and child-safe materials. Avoid props with small detachable parts children could swallow. 
• Inspect all candy and discard any candy that has been previously opened.
• Discourage children from bringing pets in order to avoid injuries to other children or between animals.
• Give older children (if they're going accompanied by an adult other than you) change or a cell phone to call home, and make sure they wear a watch they can read in the dark. 
• Set a reasonable time for children to return home.

For Kids:

• Don't lose sight of adult companions.
• Walk, don't run. Wear comfortable shoes with nonskid soles.
• Visit only familiar neighborhoods following the trick-or-treat routes set by the adult who accompanies you.
• Stay on the sidewalks and look out for cars at intersections.
• Avoid approaching animals you don't know, they can be dangerous, especially if you try to touch them or run around them. 
• Wait to get home to eat the treats.

For Motorists:

• Slow down in residential areas.
• Obey all traffic signals and signs.
• Be aware of unexpected pedestrian street crossings.

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