Saturday, Oct. 31 is Halloween, commonly known as Trick-or-Treat. Trick-or-Treat begins at dusk and ends at 8 p.m. for children 12 years of age and younger. Members of the Virginia Beach Emergency Response System want you and your family to be safe. Planning ahead can help make this Halloween a safe and fun treat.

If you are passing out treats, please turn your porch light on so children will know they are welcome at your door. If you are not passing out treats, please turn your porch light off to avoid being called upon.

Listed below are a few safety tips to help make this a safe Halloween:

• Wear light-colored clothing that is labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant and is short enough to prevent tripping. Also, add reflectors or glow-in-the-dark safety stickers for higher visibility.
• Make sure your children can see clearly through face masks or better yet, use face paint or makeup instead of a mask.
• Carry a lightweight flashlight in case one is needed. Try to stay on well-lit streets.
• Accompany young children, especially if they are under the age of eight. If you cannot accompany them, have them go with a group of other children. NEVER let them go alone.
• Watch out for traffic and only cross at corners. Be careful not to cross between parked cars.
• Let your family know ahead of time what route and streets you plan to travel.
• Take along a fully charged cell phone, or a personal 2-way radio in case of an emergency.
• Stay within your neighborhood and visit only the homes where you know the people.
• Insist children use sidewalks to avoid injury. If sidewalks aren’t available, walk facing traffic.
• Have children wait until they get home to eat their goodies so you can examine their treats before allowing them to be eaten.
• Give or accept only wrapped or packaged candy.
• An adult should stay home to welcome trick-or-treaters.
• Keep your pets under control and away from the front door.
• Clear your garage, lawn and walkway of any tools, toys or other items to avoid accidents.
• Use electric lights or luminary bags to light front walkways.
• Keep candle-lit jack-o-lanterns away from areas where costumes may brush up against the flames.

The Virginia Beach Emergency Response System is comprised of public safety first responders from the Virginia Beach departments of Emergency Medical Services, Fire, Police, Volunteer Rescue Squads, and the Emergency Communications division of the Department of Communications and Information Technology.

                                                                                       ###

319mcg