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Sheriff’s Office issues Halloween safety tips

By Staff | Oct 26, 2009

Safety should be at the forefront of everyone’s mind as Halloween approaches, especially parents of young children, Lee County Sheriff’s Office officials said Monday.
Employing safety tips can make a difference. Tips include:
– Parents should accompany young children.
– Don’t go inside a stranger’s house, no matter what anyone says.
– Trick-or-Treaters should always be in groups so they aren’t a tempting target for real life goblins.
– Make a map of your Trick-or-Treat route and check the route against the sex offender database.
– Stay in your own neighborhood.
– Stop only at well lit houses.
– Carry a flashlight or light stick.
– Use make up instead of a mask so you can see.
– Wear light colored clothing or costumes.
– Always keep a safe distance between you and moving cars.
– Be respectful of other people and their property.
– Screen all treats before you eat them.
– Don’t accept and, especially, don’t eat anything not commercially wrapped.
– Start early, end early.
– Use sidewalks or walk facing traffic.
– Stop, look and listen at corners.
– Walk, don’t run.
– Don’t go between parked cars or crisscross back and forth across streets or into
traffic.
– Don’t carry sharp instruments.
– Never carry a lighted torch or candles.

Before heading out to “trick-or-treat” this Halloween, visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Sexual Offender and Predator database, offender.fdle.state.fl.us, to ensure the residences your children are visiting do not house registered sex offenders.

Finally, a special note for adults who may be traveling on Lee County roadways as Halloween festivities, alternative events and other related activities take place:

– When the “trick-or-treaters” begin their neighborhood trek, exercise extra vigilance for those excited, costumed youths whose exuberance may overcome their awareness of vehicles.
– Many adults will don customs and drive to various events; check to be sure your costume doesn’t impede your ability to operate your vehicle in a safe manner.
– If celebrations include alcohol, whether hosting or participating, be responsible, as always, drivers need to remember “Over the Limit. Under Arrest.”

Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office