News

Halloween safety tips

By Bill Moss, Published: October 31, 2016

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office encourages parents and homeowners to plan for a safe and fun-filled Halloween for children.

Parents:
• Make sure that a trusted adult will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
• Plan your trick-or-treating route before you leave. Seek out churches and organizations that host ‘Trunk or Treat’ events.
• Check the sex offender registry at sexoffender.ncsbi.gov/ when planning your child’s trick-or-treat route. You can view maps that pinpoint registered offenders’ addresses in your neighborhood and sign up to get email alerts when an offender moves nearby.
• Make sure costumes fit properly to prevent trips and falls. Costumes should be constructed of fire-retardant material and reflective tape or material should be added to assist with visibility.
• Children should carry a flashlight and/or glow sticks if they are out after dark.
• Children should only visit homes with porch lights on and under NO circumstances should they enter stranger’s home.
• Check all candy and treats before anything is eaten. Be sure to throw away any candy that is unwrapped, partially unwrapped or has a strange odor or texture.
• Follow pedestrian/traffic safety rules and stay out of the streets.
• If your children are older, insist they travel as a group and plan and discuss the route they intend to follow. Establish a return time and have them check in with your periodically throughout the evening. Know the names of older children's companions.

Homeowners:
• Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
• Remove obstacles from lawns, steps, and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.
• Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from curtains, decorations, and other combustibles that could catch fire.
• Do not leave your house unattended.

Motorists:
• Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
• Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
• At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.