Every year we talk about Halloween safety as Oct. 31 draws closer. Though your children might think this information is repetitive, it’s better to repeat it too often than to not talk about it at all.
The nights are getting longer, and that means it might be dark during your trick-or-treating time. Try to choose light or bright costumes, decorate them with reflective tape or attach a glow stick so a child is easily visible to drivers. Talking about looking both ways before crossing a street, even in a quiet neighborhood, is also important.
For those who need to be out on the road that night, please pay attention to the roadways. Limit distractions while behind the wheel and look for trick-or-treaters in the walkways before you turn.
Once the princesses, ghosts, pirates and more get home, parents should inspect all candy before it’s eaten to make sure the packaging is intact and nothing has contaminated it. If a piece of candy doesn’t look right, throw it away.
This is also a good time to talk to your children about interacting with strangers. On Halloween, they might be approaching a house where they don’t know anyone despite being previously taught to avoid strangers. Children should never approach a house alone and should leave immediately if the homeowner invites them inside.
We’ll have deputies patrolling to help make Halloween a fun, safe night for Lexington County and look forward to seeing everyone’s creative costumes this year.