The city of Danville reminds residents to be safe this Halloween, which will be observed on Oct. 31.
The Danville Police Department is ready to assist in making the night a success for kids and parents. The police crime prevention unit, working with the city’s webmaster, has activated a web page dedicated to Halloween safety. To access the page, click on the link at the end of this story or search “Halloween” on the home page of the city's website.
“As Halloween approaches, parents and children should keep safety in their minds,” according to the web page. “Using safety tips and some common sense can help you make the most of Halloween, keeping it as enjoyable for parents and kids alike!”
The web page offers advice on carving pumpkins, costumes, trick-or-treating and candy. It also gives tips for motorists and homeowners.
Examples of the advice offered include the following:
• Carving safety: Use markers and let young children draw faces on pumpkins with washable markers. Leave the carving to an adult.
• Costume safety: Wear light colored clothing that is short enough to prevent tripping and add reflective tape to the front, back, and sides of the costume.
• Trick-or-treating safety: Stay within the neighborhood you are familiar with, and only visit the homes of people you know.
• Candy safety: Parents or guardians: please examine all candy before allowing children to eat it.
• Motorists: Be aware of children darting out between parked automobiles.
Sake Kids USA points to statistics that show more children are hit and killed on Halloween night than any other night of the year. As part of the organization’s “Safe Kids Walk This Way” campaign, motorists are advised to be aware of the fact that more children will be out on the road on Halloween night. Parents are urged to sit down and talk with their children about basic safety steps when walking from house to house.
Parents also are urged to look at the costumes in which their children are wearing. The costumes should be light and bright, and parents should add reflective material to the costumes.
Links are provided to other websites offering Halloween safety guidance, including advice on keeping your pets safe.
The city observes Halloween each year on Oct. 31, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.