Be Safe on Halloween

Somerset County Sheriff Frank Provenzano's office recently issued the following press release on safety tips for Halloween—make sure your trick-or-treater understands the guidelines to stay safe:

Halloween is a great time of the year for you and your children. The kids get to dress up in almost any type of costume to go trick-or-treating, make believe they are someone else and get tons and tons of candy.  But Halloween also could be a time of the year when trick-or-treaters experience preventable mishaps.

“Halloween is traditionally a time for children to have fun, but most often it is the children who can be injured by situations that are avoidable,” said Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano.  “Be sure your child’s costume does not obstruct their vision and is not so cumbersome that they can trip over it.  

“In the excitement of the night, kids often dart across streets,” he continued.  “Falls and pedestrian accidents are statistically two of the ways most children are injured on Halloween.  Be sure that, as a parent, you accompany your children for their safety and your peace of mind.” 

Below are some safety tips for adults and youngsters so you can enjoy this special night:

• When purchasing or making a costume, wigs or accessories, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
• Don't allow children to go trick-or treating unsupervised.
• Pick a safe and familiar neighborhood.
• Don't allow your children to eat treats of which you are unsure.
• Throw away treats with loose or broken wrappers.
• Do not allow children to eat apples unless a parent inspects them first.
• Be wary of choking hazards for small children, such as peanuts, gum and hard candies.
• Older children should go trick-or-treating in groups. Be sure they carry change for a payphone or a cellular phone in case of emergency. Tell them to stick with routes you have approved.
• Discuss and be aware of the neighborhoods where they will trick-or-treat.
• Review basics with your children prior to going out, such as looking both ways before crossing the street and crossing at corners, never between parked vehicles.
• Never go to a house when the lights are off.
• Homeowners, make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
• Tell your children that no matter how enticing the treats offered them, they are never to go into the home or car of someone they do not know.
• Be sure to take a flashlight or glow stick with you.
• If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
• Review with your children the principle of "stop-drop-roll," should their clothes catch on fire.
• Secure emergency identification – name, address and phone number – discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
• If you have any further questions on trick-or-treating, please contact your local police department.  In case of emergency, dial 911.

But if the sheriff's tips aren't making you feel better about sending your kids out into the night to randomly knock on doors and accept whatever is put in their bags, then perhaps a mobile phone ap allowing you to keep tabs on your kids will help.  

Verizon Wireless has suggested the following mobile aps may be helpful for parents:

• Get an early start on your trick-or-treating route and plan your path with VZ Navigator. VZ Navigator tells you where you are and what's nearby, providing turn-by-turn directions.
• Still not sure about your Halloween Costume? Use one of the several costume idea apps like 100+ Halloween Costumes that help you with homemade costume ideas or deals in stores.
• To help make sure your children are staying together use Verizon Wireless Family Locator. You can locate multiple family members at the same time and send messages.  It provides you with detailed location information and updates on their whereabouts.
• Make sure your trick-or-treaters path is illuminated and download a flashlight app to their phones.  Some apps even offer a strobe light function to keep it fun.
• Not sure if the weather is going to end the trick or treating night early? Download the Weather Channel app and keep a close watch.
• To continue the fun at home once the trick-or-treating is over try out apps like Catch Halloween Candy which challenges players to catch candy while avoiding spiders and pumpkins or play around in a virtual haunted house with Haunted House HD.