Sunday, October 30, 2016

Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips From The CPD


C A P S   T I P S
Brought to you by the Chicago Police Department
Your Partners for Safe Neighborhoods


HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Halloween can and should be a day of fun for the children and families of our city who wish to take part in the custom of trick-or-treat. By practicing some basic safety tips you and your children can enjoy a safe and enjoyable Halloween!
  • Costumes: Having the right costume is important to your children.  Having the right type of costume should be a priority for you.   Try to ensure that your children’s costumes are light colored so that they are easily visible. If you have to use dark colors, place reflective tape in several parts of the costume -- across the back and on the front and sides to ensure that no matter what direction they are facing, your children can be seen.  Stay away from masks.   Most masks will restrict your children’s vision.   A good, fun and inexpensive alternative is face paint.   If you are taking a group of children trick-or-treating, have everyone meet at your home a half hour before you plan to leave so the children can paint each other’s faces.
  • Company: Young children should never trick-or-treat without an adult.  If  you can’t accompany your children, make sure they go trick-or-treating with an adult or responsible young adult you know well. It’s always safer to go out with a group of family and/or friends.
  • Location: It makes sense to visit homes in your neighborhood and even trick-or-treat only at the residences you are familiar with. You should not enter a home to receive a treat; just stay on the porch or the sidewalk outside the door. Also, never enter any abandoned building, deserted area or enclosed place.   Tell your child never to approach cars or accept treats from persons in a car.
  • Timing: Try to confine your trick-or-treating to the daylight hours. If you work during the day and can only take your child out in the evening, limit your visits to homes with porch or outside lighting.
  • Treats: Allow your child to accept only treats that are wrapped. Be sure to throw away any fresh fruit, unwrapped candies, open candies or any treat that looks suspicious. When giving treats, consider small toys, non-toxic bubbles or sugar-free treats. Remember, some children have to follow certain dietary restrictions which prohibit them from eating the traditional treats we offer on Halloween.
  • Remember: Walk, do not run! Always wait at the curb and look both ways before crossing the street! Cross the street at the corner and do not cut in between parked cars! Obey all traffic lights! If you are driving on Halloween, make sure to use extra caution and be alert for any children who may be on the street!
The Chicago Police Department wants to make sure that this Halloween is a safe one for all of Chicago’s children and hopes that these tips will help achieve that goal.  If you need more information on how you can get involved in keeping your neighborhood safe, call 311, Chicago’s Other helpline or visit the Department’s community website at www.chicagopolice.org.

City of Chicago
Rahm Emanuel, Mayor

Department of Police
Eddie T. Johnson, Superintendent

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