LITTLETON — As Halloween quickly approaches, Chief Matthew J. King and the Littleton Police Department are reminding families of several important safety tips as they prepare to take their children trick-or-treating this year.
“On behalf of the Littleton Police Department, we want ensure everyone has a safe night of trick-or-treating,” Chief King said, “We urge families to make sure their children are wearing light, reflective clothing and are dressed appropriately for the fall weather.”
Oct. 31, falls on a Tuesday this year. Littleton Police will have extra officers on patrol busy trick-or-treating neighborhoods to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. The Town of Littleton has designated 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31 as the official trick-or-treat hours.
Police also remind residents to use caution as they celebrate the weekend prior to Halloween, Oct. 27-29.
Children should:
- Only approach well-lit houses and always travel in small groups
- Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them
- Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant
- Use flashlights for guidance on sidewalks, walkways and when crossing the street
- Make sure masks have eye-holes large enough to see any tripping hazards or oncoming traffic, and mouth openings large enough to breathe easily
- Practice safe street-crossing by using crosswalks and walk signals
- Wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing under costumes
Parents and guardians should:
- Supervise children under 12 years old
- Establish a designated curfew for older children
- Make sure children are wearing safe costumes that fit well and don’t drag on the ground
- Apply reflective tape to your child’s arms, legs and treat bags
- Assure costume accessories such as swords and other pointed objects are made with soft and safe materials
- If driving children between houses and neighborhoods, have them get out of cars on the curbside, not on the traffic side.
Homeowners should:
- Keep inside and outside lights on during trick-or-treat hours
- Avoid placing lit candles and jack-o-lanterns on doorsteps and walkways where costumes could brush against them and cause burns or fire
- Only hand out candy that is packaged and wrapped
- Avoid handing out small toys that could cause choking or lead poisoning for small children
Additionally, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to the Littleton Police Department at 978-540-2300 or by calling 911.
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