Halloween Safety Tips From The 70th Precinct

Anna Gustafson -

Happy Halloween, neighbors!

If you’re going to be trick-or-treating after the Prospect Park South or West Midwood Halloween parades today, or if you’ll be getting your candy on elsewhere, the 70th Precinct has sent us some tips to make sure everyone has a safe and fun evening:

  • Trick-or-treaters should always have adult supervision, even if their traveling in a group of friends.
  • An adult should always examine Halloween treats before children eat them. Never eat open or unwrapped Halloween foods.
  • Costumes should be flame-retardant and should allow children to walk freely without tripping. Children’s ability to see, hear and move should not be impaired by unwieldy masks.
  • Make certain that any face paint or make-up used on skin or costumes is non-toxic.
  • Extra care should be taken on streets and at crossings, especially at dusk and after dark.
  • Children should carry a flashlight and wear reflective or bright colored clothing at night.
  • Emergency identification information’s should be placed discreetly inside clothing of small children, in case of accidental separation.
  • Avoid having children wear their names outwardly on clothing or jewelry which may allow a stranger to call them by name and appear to know them.
  • As always, children should be cautioned to avoid strangers, as well as poorly-lit areas and homes of people they do not know.
  • Halloween treats should only be consumed if they are packaged appropriately. Parents can help protect their children by making sure that treats are wrapped in their original, unbroken packages-No loose candy, open glasses or bottles, fresh fruit, or homemade goods.
  • If after eating a Halloween treat there is evidence that it may have been tampered with, or it has a strange taste, or if a child feels sick, parents or guardians can call the NYC Health Department’s Poison Control Center. The Poison Control Center is open 24 hours a day at (212) 764-7667.

Have a great Halloween everyone, and if you get any great photos that you’d like to share with your neighbors, you can email us at editor@ditmasparkcorner.com and we’ll post them to the blog!