Police Department

SPD Halloween Safety Reminders

Julie Humphreys, Public Safety Communication Manager

Monday, October 31, 2022 at 2:48 p.m.

Happy Halloween! SPD wants all little ghosts and goblins to enjoy this annual celebration and we want everyone to be safe. You can do so by practicing basic safety tips like looking both ways before crossing a street and not getting in a car with someone you don’t know. Take a moment and remind yourself, and parents remind your children, how to be safe this Halloween evening.

1. Driver Safety – Slow down – it’s the most important thing you can do when driving tonight. Slower speeds save lives. Use extra caution as children and families will be out of the roadways, sidewalks, medians, and curbs. If you are drinking tonight, don’t drive. If you witness a drunk driver on the road, call 911.
2. Pedestrian Safety – Look both directions before crossing streets. Use traffic signals, crosswalks and sidewalks whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, stay close to the curb and always walk facing the direction of traffic. If there is no crosswalk, cross at a corner, never run out in the middle of a street. Parents go over these basic reminders with your child before heading out.
3. Heads Up, Phones Down, no earpods or headsets – Drivers and pedestrians don’t be distracted. Put electronic devices down and be aware of your surroundings.
4. Adult Supervision – Children should not trick or treat alone and they should never go into a house to get candy. Remind children to wait until they get home and parents can inspect candy before eating treats.
5. Be Visible and Be Able to See – Carry a flashlight or glow stick, wear a headlamp or reflective tape/vest and try to wear a bright costume easily visible to motorists. Make sure children’s costumes don’t obsure their vision.
6. Pay Attention to Fire Danger – Watch that your child doesn’t get too close to lighted candles in pumpkins. Consider using battery-operated candles or glow sticks in jack-o-lanterns.
7. Don’t Forget the Pet – Halloween can be frightening for animals. Consider keeping  your pet in a separate room when answering the door for trick or treaters. Doing so may help avoid a dog nipping at children or an excited child reaching out to a dog who might be aggressive when confronted. If your dog is going trick or treating with you, make sure it’s on a leash and with a lighted collar or leash if possible.

SPD is dedicated to keeping our community safe every day and with your help we can all be extra vigilant on Halloween. For additional information on Halloween safety, visit the FDA website.

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