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Safety among ghouls: Keeping safe on Halloween

Posted

Take common sense approach to holiday

Bulletin staff report

Halloween provides people with the opportunity to wear strange outfits, demand candy from strangers and eat as much sugar as can be consumed while still safely on this side of a coma.

However, as delightful as all these activities sound, trick-or-treaters should take measures to makes sure all of the activities stay safe and fun.

Despite decades of urban legends, there has never been a recorded incident of Halloween mass candy poisoning. However, whether trick-or-treating or staying home with a classic Halloween flick, you should keep safety and common sense in mind when enjoying the holiday.

The Las Cruces Police and Fire Departments remind adults, and trickor- treaters of all ages, to take the necessary steps and make Halloween safe for everyone involved.

Perhaps the most important safety precaution — especially for parents of young children — is to make sure trick-or-treaters are adequately chaperoned by a parent or responsible adult.

Residents who invite trick-or-treaters onto their property should ensure that sidewalks and walkways are adequately lighted and safe for their guests.

When trick-or-treating, keep in mind the following:

• Make sure young children are accompanied by an adult or a responsible teenager when they go door to door. If possible, go in a group.

• If you can’t accompany your children, instruct them to trick-or-treat in their own neighborhood and along well-lighted streets.

• Make sure that costumes are visible to motorists and homeowners.

• If children are going to be out after dark, make sure they carry a flashlight and/or have glow sticks attached to their costume.

• Teach your children to use the sidewalks if they can. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.

• When crossing the street, do so only in designated crosswalks and only after checking for traffic.

• Motorists should be aware that more pedestrians — and especially children — will be out, so slow down and take extra precautions, especially on residential streets.

• Makes sure costumes or decorations do not come into contact with open flames, such as candles or jacko’- lanterns.

• Ensure that costumes fit appropriately and do not interfere with walking or vision.

• Know which friends your children will be with and which route they are taking.

• Leave your porch light on so children will know it’s OK to visit your home.

• Instruct children never to eat anything until they are home and the treats have been carefully examined. Cut and wash fruit before eating. Throw away anything unwrapped. Check the wrappers of commercial treats for evidence of tampering.

• Moderate the amount of candy your child consumes.

• Report to the police any inappropriate behavior, potentially dangerous situations or suspicious activity.

The LCPD also reminds trick-ortreaters to be conscious of the fact not all homeowners celebrate Halloween or enjoy ghosts and goblins knocking on their door. A good rule of thumb is to refrain from trick-or-treating at homes without Halloween displays or adequate lighting, and keep the trickor- treating to respectable hours.




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