Local officials share Halloween safety tips

 

ELKHART, Ind., --- Spooky Season is well underway and that means kids trick-or-treating for Halloween. ABC57 spoke with experts about tips to stay safe this year.

It’s that time of year where kids can get all dressed up and go trick-or-treating, but in addition to all the fun, safety can be a big concern for parents and officials.

“Every parent would have their concern of you know where’s my kid at. Hey, don’t run too far ahead, stay together those are usually the things that we’re hollering at our children,” said Laura Stout, a Michiana mother of four who said keeping her kids safe is always her first priority when they go trick-or-treating.

“We also put glow sticks on them, and they have all kind of have the same color, so like an LED necklace or something that we can see them once it gets dark and we try and keep it consistent too, so we know all the yellow necklaces are ours.”

The Elkhart Police Department said safety is also top of mind for them while hundreds of families are out during the busy holiday night.

 “We want everyone to have a fun time, but there are certain things you can do to have fun and also be safe,” said Jessica McBrier, Elkhart Police Department’s Public Information Officer.

McBrier wants to remind the community of the trick-or-treating basics;

Having a responsible adult accompany young kids, having a plan and going over a route if your kids are going out by themselves, going to well-lit areas, and checking over your kids Halloween candy.

Although there have been concerns across the nation over laced Halloween candy or even rainbow-colored Fentanyl ending up in Halloween bags, McBrier said that’s not something on their radar locally, but they’re still urging parents to be on the lookout.

 “If you’re in doubt and out throw it out it’s kind of the mantra we go by, that means not eating candy that’s homemade and it’s by people that you don’t know. That means not eating unwrapped candy or candy that looks like it has punctures or might’ve been tampered with,” explained McBrier.

She also stressed the importance of kids being seen clearly in your costumes.

“Having reflective tape, it could mean having a flashlight that just helps make it safer for other people.”

The police department not only wanted to send a message to those trick-or-treating, but to motorists out on Halloween night as well.

“Make sure that you are focusing on the road and paying attention. Slow down particularly in residential neighborhoods or areas where you know children tend to trick-or-treat,” said McBrier.  “Look twice behind you before you back up out of your driveway or pull out from a parking spot on the road.”

While safety always comes first, officials want to make sure fun is a close second.

“Our biggest message is just to be aware of your surroundings try and try to go in a group. If you’re not going with a parent let them know where you’re going and where you’re going to be at and have fun,” said McBrier.

Trick-or-Treating on Halloween night in Elkhart will be from 6-8 pm.

The department also said patrols will also be on high alert in residential areas during those hours.

More information about official trick-or-treat times can be found here.