The following safety tips are provided by the St. Louis Park Police Department.
Halloween Safety Tips
1) Be sure that children are accompanied by a TRUSTED ADULT when “trick or treating.” Have older kids go out with friends in groups (safety in numbers)
2) Accompany children to every door they approach and make sure you are familiar with the homes you are going to.
3) Teach children to NEVER enter a home without prior permission from their parents or guardians.
4) Teach children to NEVER approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
5) Make sure children wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight after dark.
6) Make sure children can see and breathe properly if they are wearing a mask, consider makeup instead.
7) Teach children if someone tries to grab them to make a scene. Talk about yelling loudly that this person is not my father/mother/guardian and make every effort to escape by screaming, kicking, and resisting.
8) Block Captains, consider patrolling your block and coordinating with other Block Captains to patrol your entire neighborhood.
9) Make your home inviting for trick or treaters by turning on outside lights and remove objects from your yard that may pose a hazard.
10) As always, report suspicious or criminal activity to the police.