County prepares for trick-or-treaters
By Staff Reports
Published in News on October 27, 2012 11:30 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/TROY HERRING
Brittany Williams, left, and Blakely Brink try on Halloween costumes at the Wicked Superstor Halloween shop in Goldsboro.
Halloween trick-or-treating in Goldsboro, Mount Olive, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Wayne County will be held Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Officials ask residents who wish to participate to leave a porch light on to let parents and children know which houses are handing out candy.
And Sheriff Carey Winders wants people to be cautious -- noting that Halloween presents threats to children, motorists and homeowners, alike -- so he has offered the following safety tips:
WHILE TRICK-OR-TREATING:
* Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
* Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
* Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
* Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
Treats:
* Give children an early meal before going out.
* Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
* Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces.
* Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or partially wrapped, or has a strange odor, color or texture.
HOMEOWNERS/
DECORATIONS:
* Keep candles and carved pumpkins away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame and catch fire.
* Do not leave your house unattended.
MOTORISTS:
* Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
PARENTS:
* Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.
* Check the sex offender registry at ncdoj.gov when planning your child's trick-or-treat route. You can view maps that pinpoint registered offenders' addresses in your neighborhood, and sign up to get e-mail alerts when an offender moves nearby.
* Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions.
* Make sure older children trick-or-treat in a group.
* Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
* Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home.
* Establish a return time.
* Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home.
* Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.
* All children need to know their home telephone number and how to call 911 in case of emergency.
* Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and telephone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.
COSTUME DESIGN:
* Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
* Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
* Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard.
* Make sure that shoes fit well to prevent trips and falls.
* If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.
FACE DESIGN:
* Do not use masks as they can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up instead.
* When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," "Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic."
* If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.
ACCESSORIES:
* Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
* Carrying flashlights with fresh batteries will help children see better and be seen more clearly.