2010 Halloween Safety Tips

From the Northshore Fire Department

Halloween will once again be upon us on Sunday, October 31, 2010. In keeping with the spirit of the occasion, the Northshore Fire Department requests that the following safety recommendations be observed.

• Children should trick or treat in their own neighborhood on well lit streets.
• Youngsters should be accompanied by their parents or other responsible adults.
• Children should never enter any home to receive treats.
• If children are out after dark, one member of each group should have a flashlight.
• Children should be dressed in fire-safe, LIGHT-COLORED CLOTHES.
• Costumes should fit well and not limit mobility or obstruct vision.
• Always walk on the sidewalk and cross streets at cross-intersections.
• All treats should be brought home before eating any of them. Cut and wash fruit before eating. Throw away anything unwrapped. Check wrappers of commercial treats for signs of tampering. Call the police and report any suspicious treats.
• Only visit homes that have the porch light or Halloween lights on.
• Don’t accept treats from people in vehicles, and get into anyone’s car.

You may wish to check for local events that have supervised trick-or-treat activities as an alternative to going door-to-door.

We request that those citizens wishing to welcome "Trick-or-Treaters" to their homes, to indicate this by keeping a porch or exterior lights ON. We strongly urge that only wrapped candy be distributed.

The Northshore Fire Department wishes to ensure the safety and tradition of a Happy Halloween, and we ask that motorists be especially careful in watching for costumed children who might not always be alert enough to be looking out for cars.