Sheriff Falco Reminds Families to Trick-or-Treat with Care

From the Sheriff’s Dept.
Halloween may be a fun holiday for kids, but for parents, trick-or-treat time may be a bit tricky. Your county sheriff Lou Falco would like to provide the following safety tips to help you plan a safe, fun Halloween for your family.
Costumes:
  • Face paint is safer than a mask-and it is more fun!
  • Choose costumes in light colors or add reflective tape.
  • Check that costumes are flame retardant and not so long as to pose as a falling hazard.
Trick-or-Treaters should:
  • Travel in pairs or groups and stay together.
  • Walk on the sidewalk or on the left side of the road facing traffic.
  • Stop, look and listen at corners.
  • Plan a safe route; stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
  • Carry a flashlight or glow stick.
  • Carry a cell phone if trick or treating without an adult.
  • Be respectful of other people and their property.
Trick-or-Treaters should NOT:
  • Go inside a strangers house or get into a strangers car.
  • Run across yards or streets.
  • Venture down dark, empty streets.
  • Approach dark, unlighted houses.
  • Go between parked cars or crisscross back and forth across streets.
Parents with younger children:
  • Should accompany young children.
  • Plan to trick-or-treat while it is still light out.
  • Walk with your children to each house and wait in the driveway for them.
Treats:
  • Children should save all their candy until they get home.
  • Feed your children a meal or substantial snack before trick or treating so they are less tempted to eat the candy.
  • Inspect all treats when you return home. Throw away unwrapped, open, or suspicious looking goodies.
  • If your child becomes suddenly ill, IMMEDIATELY call your doctor or dial 911! Try to determine what the child has eaten and where it came from. Save all wrappers.
At Home:
  • Put away anything trick-or-treaters could fall over.
  • Turn the lights on and replace any burned-out bulbs at the walkway and front door.
  • Remember, your jack-o-lantern and any other candles or electrical decorations can be a fire hazard. Keep them out of the reach of children and away from flammable materials.
  • Never leave your house unattended. If you have to leave your house, make sure all doors are locked.
Even if you do not have children:
  • If driving on Halloween, watch for trick or treaters in the streets and darting out from between parked cars.
  • If hosting or attending a Halloween celebration that include alcohol, be responsible! Do not drink and drive!
We also recommend that you map out your route and check it against the New York State Sex Offender Registry at www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor. It is a good practice to check in with this vital public safety resource a couple of times each year.
Review all these safety guidelines with your family and set ground rules before heading out. Our office will have increased patrols along with local Village and Town Police Departments on October 31, but a little planning on your part is the best way to ensure a safe, fun Halloween.

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