Halloween Safety

Keeping Your Children Safe

The East Brunswick Police Department encourages safety and supervision during the annual Trick-or-Treat season. It is especially important for parents to adhere to a few safety rules for their children when they are trick-or-treating.

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision.
• If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Plan your trick-or-treat route ahead of time,.
• Know your child's trick-or-treat route if you are not accompanying them.
• Equip your child with a flashlight.
• Trick-or-treat at houses with the porch light on.
• Wear a costume that makes it easy for you to walk and be seen.
• Be sure costumes and shoes are appropriate and won't cause your child to fall or trip.
• NEVER go into the home or car of a stranger, even if you are invited in for a treat.
• Set rules about not eating treats until kids get home. Be sure to inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them. Candy that has been opened previously should be thrown away. Any homemade treats or fruit should be inspected closely.
• Remember drivers have a hard time seeing people, especially at dusk. Use reflective tape or on your costume if possible or carry glow sticks.
• Never cross the street from between parked cars; and if you wear a mask, take it off before crossing a street.
• Watch open flames from jack-o-lanterns as they can catch costumes and long wigs on fire.
• Make sure that fake knives, swords, and guns are made from cardboard or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury or worse, have them mistaken for the REAL thing!
• Plan to attend an alternative event, such as a Halloween block party or school party.

Making Your Home Safe

It is also important to ensure that your home is safe and accessible to trick-or-treaters. As adults there are some very simple things we can do to make the evening safe everyone.

• Turn on your porch light to help trick-or-treaters find their way.
• Invest in a small battery-operated light to insert in Jack O' Lanterns instead of candles. If you do use Jack O' Lanterns with real candles, keep them well out of the reach of kids, their blowing costumes, and any flammable decorations.
• Ensure that any decorations, cords, etc, are well lit if they can't be tucked or placed out of the way.
• Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.
• Consider giving out treats in your driveway instead of at the door if your yard is unsafe.
• Homeowners should be alert and report any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.

Safe Driving on Halloween

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
• Broaden your scanning by looking for children left and right into yards and front porches.
• If you are attending a Halloween party, "Don't drink and drive!" Get a ride from a sober friend or take a taxi.