Halloween Safety Reminders

Halloween Tips from our Police Department

Distributed by Kentlands Neighborhood Watch

 Life is very good in Maryland.

Halloween Safety Reminders

As families in Montgomery County are making their plans for Halloween
observances, the Montgomery County Police Department would like to offer the
following important safety reminders. Montgomery County Police Chief J.
Thomas Manger strongly recommends that each family take time to review basic
safety tips with their children and encourage their use. Minimizing safety
risks will help ensure a Happy Halloween for everyone.

1. The most important safety tip is to "trick-or-treat" only in
neighborhoods and at homes known to your family. It is never advisable to
take children to an unknown community, apartment complex, or townhouse
development simply because there are not a lot of homes in your community
and you want to provide a greater trick or treating experience for your
child.

2. A parent, other familiar adult, or responsible older brother or sister
should always accompany younger children.

3. Older children should plan out a trick-or-treating route with their
parents, wear a watch, and return home at an agreed upon time. They could
carry a mobile phone to stay in contact.

4. Children should never approach a home without lights, nor is it
advisable to take candy that has been left in a container outside a home.

5. Children should not eat any collected candy until an adult has
inspected it.

6. Any unwrapped or partially wrapped candy should be thrown away.

7. Make sure your yard is clear of items such as ladders, hoses, dog
leashes, and flower pots that could trip young children.

8. Battery powered jack-o'-lantern candles are preferable to using a real
flame.

9. If you do use candles, place the pumpkins well away from where
trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.

10. Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a burning
candle.

Children should carry a flashlight when trick or treating. They
should walk on sidewalks where available, and cross the street at the corner
or in a crosswalk. Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic if
there are no sidewalks. When crossing: look left, right, and left again
before going out into the street.

Other general safety tips include wearing flame-retardant, brightly-colored,
or reflective costumes of a length that won't cause tripping. Face make-up
is preferable to wearing a mask, but if a child is wearing a mask it should
not impair the child's vision.

Motorists are advised to drive slower and with extra caution
through neighborhoods on Halloween. Watch for children in the street and on
medians, and exit driveways and alleyways carefully.

Halloween falls on Sunday this year which means there may be more Halloween
parties throughout the weekend. Any adults attending a party where alcohol
is being served should utilize a designated driver, or take other measures
to prevent drinking and driving. Parents of teens should take
responsibility to make certain that alcohol is not available at teen
Halloween parties.

Following these common sense practices adds an extra measure of safety
for those families who would like to allow their children to trick or treat,
and for those teens and adults who may be enjoying Halloween parties.

There are also good safety tips provided by area Humane
Societies/Animal Shelters for families with pets:

* Keep pets inside. Pets, especially cats, can be vulnerable targets
for pranksters on Halloween night. Keep them safe indoors to avoid possible
trouble.
* More chocolate is sold on Halloween than at any other time of year.
Be sure to keep pets away from candy bowls to avoid accidental ingestion of
chocolate, which is harmful to dogs and cats. Also beware of candy wrappers,
which can be hazardous if swallowed.
* Beware of jack-o'-lanterns lighted with candles - a wagging tail can
easily knock them over and cause a fire hazard. Or a curious kitty can get
his paws or nose burned by the flame. Use a safety glowstick or flashlight
instead.
* Keep your pet safe in his own room during trick or treat time. A
quick dog or cat can dart out a door that is opening and closing often.
Also, the sight of strangely dressed people at the door can be very
stressful for pets.
* Only dress up your pet if he is receptive to it. Don't cause undue
stress on your furry friend. Use treat training to help your pet get used to
his costume, but if he doesn't seem happy, take it off.
* Masks are never a good idea for pets. Masks can cut off peripheral
vision, making a dog or cat nervous about its surroundings. Even the best
behaved dog or cat can get nippy when he can't see what's coming from the
side.
* Make sure your pet's costume fits properly, and does not constrict
breathing or movement. Just as with a collar, make sure you can fit two
fingers in between the costume and your pet's neck.
* Inspect the costume and remove any small or dangling pieces that
could become a choking hazard.
* Don't forget to ID your pet! Shelters are always busy around
holidays with pets that have wandered away from home. An ID tag or
microchip helps identify your pet so he can be returned home if he gets
lost.