When I was a police officer I would have typically have spent this day going from school to school, classroom to classroom talking with children about safety.  To me as a police officer Halloween had the recipe to be a disaster!  As a police chief is was one of the most worrisome times of year.  I would always cringe at the thought of excited children dressed up in costumes that made it hard to see darting back and forth across streets packed with cars driven by distracted parents trying to keep track of their own children.  I had two sets of tips, one for the children and one for the adults.  I always sent the children home with a letter for their parents that had safety tips for the adults.  With 17 safe Halloweens under my belt I'll share my tips with you.

Tips for Children

• Wear a costume that is flame resistant.  Do not go close to candles.
• Do not carry anything sharp as a part of your costume
• Wear a costume that is white or as light colored as possible or reflective
• Wear a costume that allows you to see normally and does not interfere with your vision
• Wear a costume that is short enough that it does not interfere with walking
• Carry a flashlight with you.
• Take a trusted adult trick or treating with you
• Do not approach any animal even if you think it is safe, they can be frightened by all the activity
• Do not eat any treats until an adult has inspected them
• Cross the street ONLY on crosswalks when it is safe.  Do not let your excitement lead you to cross in the middle of the block or dart out between cars.
• Never get in a car with anybody
• Trick or treat only in areas you are familiar with. 
• If you will not have an adult with you trick or treat with a group of friends. 
• Never tip over or throw anybodies pumpkins.  Some contain candles and you could start a house on fire.
• Carry a phone with you and have a plan if you get in trouble

Tips for Adults

• Read the tips above an review them with your children
• Always accompany your children while trick or treating.  One parent can stay home to hand out treats. 
• Leave the car at home to avoid adding traffic to the streets and trick or treat in your neighborhood.
• If you are driving a car be very careful of children darting in the road.  It happens fast so expect it ahead of time. Dark costumes are hard to see.
• Pin a slip of paper inside a zip lock back to the inside of your child's costume with pertinent information and how to contact you if the child is lost.
• If you do not go with them prepare a route with them and review it with them.
• Make sure they know what time to be home and have a watch with them.
• If they do not have a phone send a cell phone with them.  Before they leave dial in the number you will be at and show them they can just hit the send button to call you if they do not make any other calls in between.  Show them how to call 911 and review 911 with them.
• Make sure your children are familiar with locations and street names.  If they call 911 they will have to say where they are. 
• Explain the difference between tricks and vandalism.  Nothing can be worse than coming home from trick or treating in the back of a police cruiser and having to pay an angry neighbor for the damage.
• Make sure your children understand harassing or abusing animals is wrong.  This happens more often on Halloween with groups of kids together.  Peer pressure can be a horrible thing and I have seen this lead to terrible things.
• Do not use candles in your own pumpkins.  They can start your home on fire if tipped over and can start some costumes on fire.  Use battery powered pumpkin lights.
• Make sure your door step is well lit and children can see well.  Remove all tripping hazards.
• Hand out packaged treats parents can inspect when their children come home.
• Pin a slip of paper inside a zip lock back to the inside of your child's costume with pertinent information and how to contact you if the child is lost.
• Make sure to kennel all pets, they will be frightened by the nights activities and could act out of character.

I hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween. 

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CONTACT JASON     Cell Phone: 402.250.1006  Email: Jason@gowithjason.com  

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Whitetail Trophy Properties

Smith Auction Marketing - Iowa Auctioneer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jason Smith is a Land Specialist and Real Estate Auctioneer with Whitetail Trophy Properties.   Jason offers property listings as well as land auctions in Iowa.  As a sportsman himself Jason enjoys archery and muzzleloader hunting for whitetail deer.  In college Jason studied Fish and Wildlife Biology and specializes in rural properties only including Iowa hunting land, recreational land, farms and rural building lots.  Jason also manages over 260 acres of hunting land using QDM.  As a member of the (QDMA)   Quality Deer Management Association  he has joined ranks with whitetail enthusiasts across the United States in controlling and growing a healthy whitetail population for all to enjoy.   Jason is a member of the Iowa Auctioneers Association, National Auctioneers Association.