The spookiest and sweetest time of the year is here. Kids young and old from all over Oakland County will be celebrating Halloween. It’s important to stay safe while trick-or-treating in your local neighborhood. Check out these safety tips to ensure your Halloween outing is safe and filled with treats before you head out.
Trick-or-Treaters
- 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.
- Size your child’s costume correctly to fit over winter clothes, in case it’s chilly outside.
- 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.
- Walk on sidewalks when possible so as not to trip on lawn decorations, stumps, or other obstacles.
- Don’t trick-or-treat alone! Always bring someone along or take a group.
- Don’t 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.
- Remove all makeup before bed to avoid mess and irritation.
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.
- 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.
- Use battery operated candles or Jack-O-Lanterns when possible and keep them away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains.
More Halloween safety tips from the National Safety Council can be found here.
Treats for Troops
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is accepting Halloween candy as part of its 13th Annual Treats for Troops collection to send thanks, encouragement, and sweets to our troops overseas.
Candy may be dropped off between Tuesday, Nov. 1 and Friday, Nov. 4 by 5 p.m. each day at the following Sheriff’s Office locations:
- Headquarters, 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Building 38E, Pontiac, 48341;
- Brandon Substation, 15 South St., Ortonville, 48462;
- Commerce Substation, 2401 Glengary, Commerce, 48390;
- Highland Substation, 165 N. John St., Highland, 48356;
- Independence Twp. Substation, 6560 Citation Drive, Independence, 48346;
- Orion Twp. Substation, 2525 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion, 48360;
- Oxford Twp. Substation, 310 Dunlap Rd., Oxford, 48371;
- Rochester Hills Substation, 750 Barclay Circle, Rochester Hills, 48307.
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