More safety tips
• To improve visibility, add some reflective tape to your child’s costume and candy bag.
• Make sure the candy container your child is carrying is not too large to handle safely.
• Make sure your child stays with an organized group that is supervised at all times by a responsible adult.
• Encourage your child not to run across yards where he or she might trip over an obstacle. Instead, they should use driveways and sidewalks.
• Knives, swords or other costume props should be made of a flexible material that do not pose a hazard should the child trip and fall.
• If your child is wearing a face mask, make sure it fits securely and does not block vision.
• If you follow your child in a car, drive slowly and keep your headlights and flashers on at all times.
• Inspect all candy and other treats before your child eats it.
• Allow your child to have only candy products that are commercially wrapped.
• Parents of younger children should dispose of any candy that could possibly represent a choking hazard.
• If you allow your child to have fruit, such as apples, cut it open and inspect it before allowing your child to eat it.
• Homeowners should prepare their homes for trick or treaters by turning on all outside floodlights and removing front yard obstacles.
• Pets should be put in the house and out of the yard.
— Courtesy Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office
Local public safety officials are urging Halloween enthusiasts young and old to use caution as they seek frights and fun.
The day known for costumes, candy and cackling is Monday.
Forsyth County Fire Capt. Jason Shivers asked that those traveling from door to door in search of tricks or treats remember to watch out for emergency vehicles.
“From a public safety perspective, that’s a once-a-year additional challenge that we have to be cognizant of that streets throughout the county become heavily pedestrian avenues,” he said. “We’ll still have to perform our duties throughout the evening and you may very well encounter a fire apparatus or an ambulance or patrol car.”
Shivers said parents should go trick or treating with children under the age of 12 and that older children should travel in groups. He said children should also carry flashlights or glow sticks and be careful when crossing streets.
He said costumes should fit appropriately and that children should be reminded before going out Monday night to stop, drop and roll if a costume catches fire.
“While most costumes are made to fire safety standards, there’s still an increased risk of fire,” Shivers said.
He noted that entrances and walkways to homes should be clear of combustible items such as lit candles and hay bales.
“There are over 1,100 residential structure fires reported every year in the country due to holiday decorations,” Shivers said.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office has also urged parents to supervise children’s Halloween activities and recommended providing youngsters with a cell phone to use in the event of an emergency. Authorities said parents should set a time for their children to return home from trick or treating or social gatherings with friends, and children should trick or treat only in familiar neighborhoods and at well-lit houses.
Adults should use a designated driver for the trip home from parties if they plan on drinking alcoholic beverages.