Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween (Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024) may be a fun holiday for kids but for parents trick-or-treat time can be a little tricky. Concerns about children's safety – whether they are out in the neighborhood, gathering candy at a mall or shopping center, or back home with bags of treats – can darken the day more quickly than a black cat.

To make Halloween a treat for all, follow these safety tips:

• Make sure kids, and the adults accompanying them, wear light colors, carry a flashlight or put reflective tape on their costumes. October is Pedestrian Safety Month, and this helps drivers see everyone.
• Trick-or-treaters should always be in groups, so they are not a tempting target for real-life goblins. Parents or a trusted adult should accompany young children.
• Make sure kids know not to enter strange houses or strangers' cars.  Children should stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Kids need to know not to eat 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.
• Check all treats at home in a well-lighted place.

If you need to contact the police, call the non-emergency number: (703) 792-6500 (or, in an emergency, dial 911).