As Halloween approaches, local officials urge parents and caregivers to be mindful of dangers like tainted candy, fire hazards, vehicle traffic, and food allergies.
Here’s what adults and children should know before trick-or-treating on Thursday:
Staying safe on the streets when the sun goes down
To help kids stay safe while traversing local streets on Halloween night, the Eugene Police Department has advised that trick-or-treaters and parents take into consideration the following tips:
- Take your kids trick-or-treating only in low-traffic neighborhoods where you know the residents, or at organized events.
- Carry glow sticks or flashlights; use reflective tape/stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help children be seen by drivers.
- Remind children to cross streets at corners and crosswalks and watch for cars turning into or backing out of driveways. If there is no sidewalk in the neighborhood, walk facing oncoming traffic.
- Have a trusted adult accompany children on their trick-or-treating rounds.
- Make sure costumes are functional for children. For example, capes should break away to prevent strangulation, and nontoxic face paint or cosmetics are safer than wearing a mask, which can restrict vision or breathing.
- Residents are urged to have well-lit doorsteps and yards and to remove all obstacles from their lawns and steps to prevent children from being injured.
- For older kids, parents should know what route their children will take as they trick-or-treat with their friends and set a time limit for returning home.