Happy Halloween

We are in the last quarter of the year. It’s officially fall and recently, it actually feels like it. October is full of holidays (yes, opening season is a holiday,) and one of the favorites among kids of all ages is Halloween. You can drive all over Craighead County and see houses that are fully decorated for the season, with pumpkins and lights, fake ghosts and black cats, and ghouls and zombies all over the place. Everyone wants this to be a safe and Happy Halloween, and we have compiled a few Do’s and Don’ts to make sure that happens.

Always:

• Trick or treat during daylight hours
• Walk through the neighborhoods and parking lots, not run
• Wear light-colored, fireproof material in the costume, including wigs
• Wear reflective tape/lights
• Wear well fitting costumes and shoes
• Props should be flexible
• Masks and wigs should not restrict vision
• Look in all directions when crossing the street

NEVER:

• Go out alone on Halloween
• Eat treats before having them thoroughly inspected
• Enter strangers’ homes
• Accept rides from strangers
• Take shortcuts through backyards or alleys
• Stray from the group
• Use realistic replicas for props, especially firearms

Adults, there are things we are responsible for to help ensure the safety of the kids.

• Never invite kids into your home.
• Set a specific time limit for the kids to be out for Halloween.
• Give only giftwrapped homemade treats to kids you know.
• A responsible adult should escort the kids while trick or treating
• Adult escorts should carry a flashlight
• Don’t leave your house unattended on Halloween
• Put the family pets up that night.
• Motorists should use extra caution, watch for trick or treaters darting out into the street, and yield to pedestrians. DRIVE SLOWLY

We give these suggestions in hopes to make sure everyone has the fun kind of scares only. We are proud you chose us to serve and protect you, our neighbors. Happy Halloween.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Marty Boyd