ORLEANS- As Halloween approaches, the Orleans Town Marshal’s Office would like to provide families with a few safety tips to keep our kids safe during the hours of Trick or Treating. The Town of Orleans has determined the hours for Trick or Treating to be from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 31st. Town Marshal Lindsey provided the following list as a reference for safe Trick or Treating:
- Eat only factory-wrapped treats. If you have any doubt about the safety of a treat, throw it out.
- Carrying a glow stick is one way to see and be seen as the night wears on, but did you know that the luminescent liquid inside a glow stick is minimally toxic in small amounts? Do not allow children to chew on glow sticks. Symptoms of ingestion can include mouth or throat irritation and vomiting. Better yet, take a flashlight.
- Children are curious and put all sorts of things in their mouths. Confusing medicine with candies can make Halloween go from spooky to scary. Practice safe medication storage. Keep all medications and vitamins, including your emergency supply, up and away, out of reach, and sight of children to avoid confusion with Halloween treats. Halloween can be tricky for children with food allergies. Parents: always read labels (avoid treats without labels), carry an epinephrine auto-injector (if prescribed), and learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project®, an initiative started by Food Allergy Research and Education to provide non-food treats, such as stickers, school supplies, and small toys, to kids with allergies.
- Prepare your trick-or-treaters with safety items: a flashlight, reflective tape or strips applied to costumes and candy bags, and an emergency contact information card in case they get lost or separated from the group.
- Trick or treat as part of a large group with a responsible adult.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever possible or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
- Look both ways before crossing the street at a crosswalk or intersection.
- Walk, don’t run between houses to avoid trips and falls.
- Ensure costumes fit well to avoid blocked vision and help prevent trips and falls. Choose short costume accessories that are soft (i.e., made of plastic or foam) and flexible.
- More importantly, watch out for your neighbors and the kids in your neighborhood. Call the Orleans Police Department at 812-865-2222 to report suspicious activity.
