The scariest, and sweetest, time of the year is almost here! Little kids and big kids from all over Oakland County will be celebrating Halloween tomorrow. While dressing up in your favorite costume and running around the neighborhood collecting treats is fun, it’s important to stay safe while you do. Find your community’s trick-or-treating hours here and follow these tips to make sure your Halloween trick-or-treating goes smoothly and safely.

Trick-or-treating

• • • Consider adding reflective tape to a child’s costume to allow for greater visibility.
    • Test makeup on a small section of the skin before applying to the face to avoid large allergic reactions.
    • Remove all makeup before bed to avoid mess and irritation.
    • Size your child’s costume correctly to fit over winter clothes. Halloween will be chilly this year, with highs in the low 40s.
    • Swords, canes, and all props should be flexible and small enough that they will not cause harm.
    • Take a flashlight to better see walking obstacles.
    • Don’t trick-or-treat alone! Always bring someone along or take a group.
    • Walk on sidewalks when possible so as not to trip on lawn decorations, stumps, or other obstacles.
    • Do not allow trick-or-treaters to enter the home of a stranger. Tell the children they can and should wait outside.
    • Examine all treats before consumption for allergy needs and candy that has been tampered with.

Homeowners

• • • • If you’re offering allergy-friendly candy, let trick-or-treaters know with a teal pumpkin on the front porch.
      • Remove all lawn decorations that could be hazardous to excited trick-or-treaters.
      • Light walkways with non-flammable lighting to avoid accidents.
      • Keep all luminaries, Jack-O-Lanterns, and candles away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains.
      • Make sure all animals are safely locked away to avoid scaring the animals and children. This will also prevent animals from sneaking out an open door.
      • Keep candle-lit decorations elevated, on sturdy tables, and out of children’s and animal’s reach.
      • Use battery operated candles when possible. Reusable battery candles can save time next year as well.

Find more Halloween Safety Tips from the CDC here and view the Oakland County Sheriff’s press release: Sheriff Bouchard Encourages Parents and Children to BE SAFE this Halloween.

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