SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE HALLOWEEN SAFETY

NEWS RELEASE-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Sanibel
October 29, 2012
CONTACT- Chief Bill Tomlinson, Sanibel Police Department (239)-472-3111

SANIBEL POLICE DEPARTMENT - PRESS RELEASE HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Halloween is on Wednesday October 31st, 2012 and trick or treating is suggested from 5 – 8:30 PM. All Sanibel Police cars will have candy to distribute. If you have any questions, please call us at: 472-3111. Have Fun but Be Careful!

MAKE SURE YOUR CHILDREN DRESS SAFELY

• Check that costumes are flame-retardant so little ones aren’t in danger near burning jack-o-lanterns and other fire hazards

• Have them wear light-colored clothing that’s short enough to prevent tripping, and add reflective tape

• Try make-up instead of a mask - masks can be hot and uncomfortable and - more importantly - they can obstruct a child’s vision (a dangerous thing when crossing streets and going up/down stairs)

• Put reflective tape on costumes

• Trick-or-treaters always should be in groups so they aren’t a tempting target for real-life goblins. Parents should accompany young children

• Avoid hard plastic or wood props such as daggers or swords. Substitute with foam rubber which is soft and flexible

MAKE TRICK-OR-TREATING TROUBLE FREE

• Make sure older kids trick-or-treat with friends. Map out a safe route so you will know where they will be, and tell them to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on

• Watch for traffic

• Trick-or-treat while it is still light out. If it’s dark, make sure someone has a flashlight and only pick well-lighted streets

• Make sure children know strange houses or stranger’s cars

TREATS

• Children need to know their treats until they get home. One way to keep trick-or-treaters from digging in while they are still out is to feed them a meal or a snack beforehand

• Parents should check all treats at home in a well-lighted place

• Report suspicious treat or packaging to the Sanibel Police

• Only unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers. Don’t forget to inspect fruit and homemade goodies for anything suspicious. By all means, try not to let them eat everything all at once, or they’ll be feeling pretty ghoulish!

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