Montgomery County Public Safety Agencies Provide Halloween Safety Tips

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 26, 2018

With Halloween 2018 coming up the middle of next week, Montgomery County public safety personnel are encouraging community members to make Halloween festivities as safe as possible. Please take some time before October 31, to review basic safety tips for trick-or-treaters, homeowners, drivers, pedestrians, party-goers and pets.

 

Trick or Treating: 

 

• The most important safety tip is to “trick-or-treat” only in neighborhoods and/or at homes known to your family.

• Only visit homes with a porch light on, accept treats at the door, don’t go inside.

• A parent, other familiar adult, or responsible older brother or sister should always accompany younger children.

• Be visible, carry a flashlight.

• Obey all traffic rules.

• Walk on sidewalks where available, and cross the street at the corner or in a crosswalk.

  Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic if there are isn’t a sidewalk.

• When crossing: look left, right, and left again before going out into the street.

• Older children should plan out a trick-or-treating route with their parents in advance, wear a watch, and return home at an agreed upon time. A cell phone can facilitate staying in contact.

• Children should not eat any collected candy until an adult has inspected it.

• Any unwrapped or partially wrapped candy should be thrown away.

• Children should respect other people’s property, Don’t harm or destroy anything.

• Any suspicious activity should be reported to police. The police non-emergency number is 301-279-8000.

Costumes:

• Wear flame-retardant, brightly-colored costumes, or add reflective tape to costumes.

• Face make-up is preferable to wearing a mask, but if a mask is worn, it should not impair the child’s vision.

• Keep costumes short to avoid tripping and falling.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
  

  
  

  Homeowners:

 

• Make sure your yard is clear of items such as ladders, hoses, dog leashes, and flower pots that could trip young children.
• Light your home and yard as brightly as possible.
• Battery-powered jack-o’-lantern candles are preferable to using a real flame.
• If you do use candles, place the pumpkins well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
• Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a burning candle.

 

Drivers and Party Participants:

 

• Motorists are advised to drive slower and with extra caution through neighborhoods.  Watch for children in the street and on medians, and exit driveways and alleyways very carefully.  
• Any adults attending a party where alcohol is being served should utilize a designated driver, or take other measures to prevent drinking and driving.
• Please note: the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is s sponsoring SoberRide from 10 p.m. Saturday, October 27 through 4 a.m. on Sunday, October 28. Riders using the Lyft app can get up to $15 off their ride if it is within the D.C. coverage area. More information at: http://www.wrap.org/soberride/2018HalloweenSoberRidePoster.pdf. 
• Parents of teens should take responsibility to make certain that alcohol is not available at teen Halloween parties.

 

Find additional Halloween safety tips from the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service at: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-info/tips/citizens/halloween.html

 

Pet Safety:

 

There are also good safety tips provided by area Humane Societies/Animal Shelters for families with pets:

• Keep pets inside. Pets, especially cats, can be vulnerable targets for pranksters on Halloween night. Keep them safe indoors to avoid possible trouble.
• More chocolate is sold on Halloween than at any other time of year.  Be sure to keep pets away from candy bowls to avoid accidental ingestion of chocolate, which is harmful to dogs and cats. Also beware of candy wrappers, which can be hazardous if swallowed.
• Beware of jack-o’-lanterns lighted with candles - a wagging tail can easily knock them over and cause a fire hazard. Or a curious kitty can get his paws or nose burned by the flame. Use a safety glow stick or flashlight instead.
• Keep your pet safe in his own room during trick or treat time. A quick dog or cat can dart out a door that is opening and closing often. Also, the sight of strangely-dressed people at the door can be very stressful for pets.
• Only dress up your pet if he is receptive to it. Don't cause undue stress on your furry friend. Use treat training to help your pet get used to his costume, but if he doesn't seem happy, take it off.
• Masks are never a good idea for pets. Masks can cut off peripheral vision, making a dog or cat nervous about its surroundings. Even the best behaved dog or cat can get nippy when he can't see what's coming from the side.
• Make sure your pet's costume fits properly, and does not constrict breathing or movement. Just as with a collar, make sure you can fit two fingers in between the costume and your pet's neck.
• Inspect the costume and remove any small or dangling pieces that could become a choking hazard.
• Don't forget to ID your pet! Shelters are always busy around holidays with pets that have wandered away from home. An ID tag or microchip helps identify your pet so he can be returned home if he gets lost. A Montgomery County Pet License tag is a great source of identification and can be obtained on line at: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/asd/licensing.html.

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Release ID: 18-719
Media Contact: Lucille.Baur@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-6507