For Halloween Safety, NYPD Enlists Community's Help

Forget evil spirits, they’re protecting us from mischievous teens.

The NYPD 61st Precinct’s Community Affairs Unit is reaching out to local businesses and parents to help keep our streets safe this Halloween.

Working with markets and other stores that sell the usual troublemaker toolkit – eggs, shaving cream and toilet paper – the officers are coordinating a campaign to prevent malice. The above flier is being placed in store windows and refrigerators, and they’re seeking verbal pledges from salespeople to not sell those items to minors this holiday season. According to one officer, some kids are even freezing their eggs and throwing the hard-as-rock ovums at cars and people.

The NYPD is also asking all the local civic associations to spread the word.

Beyond that, there are a number of safety tips that all parents and guardians should be aware of.

Here’s what the precinct is telling trick-or-treating families to do to keep safe:

• Walk, slither and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, truck and low-flying brooms.
• Cross the street only at corners.
• Don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.
• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible.
• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Carry a flashlight to light your way.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)
• Visit homes that have the porch light on.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s house.
• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.
• Be cautious of animals and strangers.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating.
• And don’t eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.