The streets of Danville are about to be haunted by ghosts and goblins and the Danville Police Division wants to keep everyone safe.
Tuesday, October 31, is the official night for trick or treaters. Children, up to the age of 12, will go about their neighborhoods in an assortment of costumes. Trick or treating hours will be from 5:00-8:00 PM.
In the hopes of promoting a safe Halloween, Larry Thomason, Director of Public Safety, offers these tips to the young people going out October 31st:
Costumes
Avoid loose clothing; you can trip on them
Do not wear unsafe shoes; a proper fit is essential
Avoid masks that reduce vision; make up is safer
Avoid dark colored clothing that is hard to see; put reflective tape on them
Be careful of open flames from jack-o-lanterns and candles; costumes can catch fire
Avoid hard plastic or wood props; substitute with foam rubber
Keep costumed children away from pets
Treats
Never eat anything until you get home and your parents have checked the treats
Do not eat unpackaged items or items that have a wrapper open; throw them away
If you do find something wrong with the treats, report it to the police
Rules of the Road
Travel with 3-4 others in your age group
Visit only homes in your neighborhood
Do not go to homes that do not have their porch lights on
DO NOT ENTER ANY HOME
If you are out after dark, carry a flashlight
Look both ways before crossing a street
Use sidewalks where available
Never cross the street from between parked cars
Respect the property of others – use walkways and don’t bother displays
Thomason also has a few tips for parents. He said that if you intend to receive trick or treaters, turn on your porch light. This not only tells the youngsters they can stop at your home, it also lights their path for safety. Greet the children at the door, but do not ask them to come inside. Any outdoor obstacles that might be in the driveway or on the sidewalk should be removed. If your children are going out with others, make sure you know who they are with and make sure supervision is provided for them.
Finally, as Halloween is set for only one night, discourage children from going out before or after October 31.
