Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for children, but sometimes hectic for parents and guardians. The Park County Sheriff’s Office is reminding parents to take a moment to consider basic safety precautions to help make your children’s Halloween a safer night of fun.

Before Halloween:

• Choose bright costumes, and have children carry flashlights or glow sticks so they are easily visible. (Hint: Try adding reflective tape to costumes and candy bags!)
• Plan a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.
• Make sure children know your cellphone number, their home telephone number and address in case you get separated. Consider giving them a cellphone so they can reach you easily.
• Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
• Teach children to say “NO!” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat or leave with them. Tell them to try everything they can to escape, including; yelling, hitting, and kicking.
• Check the sex offender registry website to avoid sex offender residences when trick-or-treating. The Park County OffenderWatch page can be found at http://parkcountysheriff.net/ by clicking on the Sex Offender Registry link on the right.

On Halloween:

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. 
• If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well-lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Always walk younger children to the door to receive treats.
• Don’t let children enter a home unless you are with them.
• Be sure children do not approach any vehicle unless you are with them.
• DRESS WARM! The predicted high temperature for Halloween is 37 degrees.

For drivers:

• Drive extra safely on Halloween. Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods.
• Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30-9:30 p.m., so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

For additional information, visit www.safekids.org/tip/halloween-safety-tips or www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/autumn/halloween.