While this is a favorite past-time for families, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office wants to help parents make sure their children trick-or-treat safely by providing the following tips:
Make sure children are dressed safely
* Allow them to wear only flame-retardant costumes.
* Keep costumes short to prevent falls.
* Use make-up instead of masks when possible. Masks can obstruct vision.
* Wear light colors or put reflective tape on costumes.
Make trick-or-treating trouble free
* Children should travel in groups when trick-or-treating. Adults should accompany young children.
* Map out a safe route for children and make sure they stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
* Trick-or-treat while it’s still light outside. If it’s dark, make sure someone has a flashlight.
* Make sure kids know to not enter strange houses or cars.
* Teach children to say “No,” or, “This is not my mother/father” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them.
* Teach children to know their home phone number, in case they get lost or separated.
Treats
* Tell children to not eat their treats until they come home.
* Check out all treats before your children eat them.
* Let kids eat only unopened candies and treats that are in their original wrappers.
View the Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s video on Halloween safety.
Deputies will also be out patrolling neighborhoods to ensure everyone’s safety. They will also be participating in Halloween events around the county.
CCSO’s 15th annual Halloween event in East Naples will take place tonight from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at East Naples Fire Control and Rescue Station #21, 11121 U.S. 41 E. This event offers two areas: a kid-friendly area where deputies and volunteers will distribute candy and a Haunted Trail for anyone brave enough to enter.
