Novi Police Offer Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treating

The Novi Police and Fire Departments encourage all the little witches, zombies, vampires, and princesses to have a fun, yet safe Halloween on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Recommended trick-or-treating hours are between 6 and 8 p.m.

“We continually encourage community members to be safety conscience, but ask that they pay even more attention on Halloween,” said Novi Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police David Molloy.

“The biggest dangers faced on Halloween are injuries from tripping and falling and pedestrian/car accidents. Unfortunately, many children forget safety tips out of shear excitement while traversing from house-to-house trick-or-treating. It is important for parents to set the example by staying on main pathways and crossing at corners," he said.

To ensure a safe Halloween, the Novi Police and Fire Departments recommend the following safety rules:

Children should:

• Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches rather than entering houses.
• Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult.
• Know their phone number in case an emergency telephone call is necessary.
• Have their names and addresses attached to their costumes.
• Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.
• Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.

When walking in neighborhoods children should:

• Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.
• Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars.
• Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.
• Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.
• Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can obstruct a child's vision.)
• Avoid wearing hats that will slide over their eyes.
• Avoid wearing long, baggy or loose costumes or oversized shoes (to prevent tripping).
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.

Parents and adults should:

• Supervise the outing for children under age 12.
• Establish a curfew (a return time) for older children.
• Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.
• Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
• Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it.

Parents and adults should ensure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters by:

• Making sure children are supervised as they cross the street.
• Driving slowly.
• Watching for children in the street and on medians.
• Exiting driveways and alleyways carefully.
• Having children get out of cars on the curbside, not on the traffic side.

—The above information was provided in a press release.

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