Full Notification

With this time fast approaching, youngsters will soon be out trick or treating. As they get ready to collect their Halloween treats, the Muskegon Police Department has a few tips to make this a fun
and safe Halloween.

BE SAFE WHILE OUT AND ABOUT
To maximize safety for the trick or treaters, plan a route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If the children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they walk through the neighborhood. Here are more safety tips to follow as children go from house to house:
Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight.
• Visit only the homes that have a porch light on.
• Accept treats at the door-never go inside.
• Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the
roadway, facing traffic.
• Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
• Don’t cut across yards or use alleys.
• Don’t cross between parked cars.
• Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

COSTUME SAFETY
There are steps parents can take to keep their little ghosts and goblins safe in their disguises:
• Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Use flame-resistant costumes.
• Use face makeup instead of masks, which can cover their eyes and make it hard to see.

GREETING TRICK OR TREATERS
For those who expect to welcome trick-or-treaters at their
door, they can make sure it’s fun for everyone by following a few tips:
• Make sure the outdoor lights are on.
• Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps.
• Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
• Restrain pets.
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle in jack-o-lanterns to avoid a fire hazard.

TREAT SAFETY
We encourage parents to check all of the children’s treats prior to letting them consume it.

MOTORISTS
We encourage motorists to be on alert.
• Pay attention to crosswalks, intersections and the side of the road. Children will be having fun and
concentrating on their next treat. Looking out for vehicles may not be a priority for them.
• Drive below the posted speed limit where trick-or-treating is active. If you are dropping off or
picking up your children, pull off the road into a safe area and turn on your hazard lights to alert other
motorists.”

PET SAFETY
Halloween can be a stressful time for pets with all of
the commotion and there are
some steps that can be taken to keep pets from being lost and to also keep them safe.
 Keep pets in a room away from the door, to prevent them from escaping or from getting scared by strangers in costumes.
 Keep candy out of reach of dogs and cats - chocolate, the artificial sweetener xylitol, and candy wrappers are all dangerous to our pets.
 Bring pets inside the house. If you choose to dress your pet up in a costume, don't leave them unattended. Make sure they can't chew or swallow small pieces of the costume. Monitor pets around decorations - make sure they don't chew cords, try to eat the
decorations, or knock over candles.
The Muskegon Police Department plans to have extra manpower on the streets to promote safety during trick-or-treat hours.