Are Your Halloween Traditions a Trick or a Treat?

What is trick or treat in Halloween?

Trick-or-treating is a Halloween custom for children in many countries. Children in costumes travel from house to house asking for treats such as candy (or, in some cultures, money) with the phrase "Trick or treat".

With Halloween quickly approaching, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company offers some recommended tips to help keep community members safe and alert during trick-or-treat this year.

Indian River desires everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween by celebrating responsibly, especially those who are out walking around our community neighborhoods at night.

Residents are asked to review several important safety tips:

Children should:

·         Only approach well-lit houses and always travel in small groups.

·        Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.

·        Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant.

·        Use flashlights for guidance on sidewalks, walkways and when crossing the street.

·        Make sure masks have eye-holes large enough to see any tripping hazards or oncoming traffic, and mouth openings large enough to breathe easily,

·        Practice safe street-crossing by using crosswalks and walk signals, when available.

·        Walk and don’t run from house to house.

·        Wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing under costumes.

·        Never accept rides from strangers.

 

Parents and guardians should:

·         Supervise young children at all times.

·        Establish a designated curfew for older children.

·        Make sure children are wearing safe costumes that fit well and don’t drag on the ground.

·        Apply reflective tape to your child’s arms, legs and treat bags.

·        Assure costume accessories such as swords and other pointed objects are made with soft and safe materials.

·        If driving children between houses and neighborhoods, have them get out of cars on the curbside, not on the traffic side.

 

Homeowners should:

·        Keep inside and outside lights on during trick-or-treat hours.

·        Avoid placing lit candles and jack-o-lanterns on doorsteps and walkways where costumes could brush against them and cause burns or fire.

·        Only hand out candy that is packaged and wrapped.

·        Avoid handing out small toys that could cause choking or injury to small children.

 

Halloween drivers should:

·        Be aware that there are many young children out for the evening, especially during the peak hours. Please drive slowly!

·        Be aware that young trick-or-treaters may dart out from between parked cars.

·        Obey all traffic signals and signs.

 

Any suspicious activities should immediately be reported to the local authorities or the Delaware State Police by dialing 911.

Additional information regarding Halloween Safety and related helpful hints can be viewed via the

·        Mother's Complete Guide to Halloween Safety -  https://www.couponchief.com/guides/halloween_safety_tips

·        Safe Kids Worldwide - https://www.safekids.org/halloween?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItK7ipeCM1wIVkVmGCh1E5QR5EAAYASAAEgI89vD_BwE