Don't Trick or Treat Before Reading This

Douglas County Sheriff Phil Miller and his staff wish all of our children a safe and happy Halloween and offered these saftey tips, in partnership with SafeKids, on the Sheriff's Facebook page.

1. Children under 12 should always be accompanied by a responsible adult and make sure there is, at least one adult to every four kids.

2. Always walk on sidewalks, if possible, but always facing traffic. Children should walk on the inside of adults away from the roadway.

3. Children should wear costumes made of reflective material and accompanying adults should also wear reflective outerwear. (Adults not wearing reflective clothing can often block the reflection of small children from the view of a driver.) Regular flashlights are not enough since they tend to blend in with other lights.

4. Adults should carry a fully charged cell phone with them in case of an emergency.

5. Motorists, please slow down! Halloween is the most dangerous holiday on the road for children.

6. Drivers, avoid distractions such as cell phones, music, and other things going on in your vehicle.

7. Face paint is recommended for children’s costumes instead of masks. Masks can hinder a child’s vision.

8. Be cautious of costumes with sharp objects such as swords, sticks, sabers, etc…

9. Remember that liquid glow sticks can be hazardous for small children if they are broken or chewed on.

10. Only go to reputable places and homes of people you know. Check all candy for any signs of tampering.

11. Be cautious of pets. A family dog who has always been friendly can be easily frightened by all the commotion of Halloween and can react viciously.

12. In an emergency, call 911 immediately. Time can make the difference.