Halloween Safety Tips

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department wants you to have a safe and exciting Halloween by following these safety tips:

Tips for Parents

Children should not snack on “treats” while out trick-or-treating.  They should wait until parents have had a chance to inspect treats.  To help prevent children from munching, give them a snack or light meal before they go – don’t send them out on an empty stomach.  When children bring their treats home, discard any home-made candy or baked goods.  Parents of young children should also remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.  Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers.  Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

While most parents are rightfully concerned about tampering, the biggest dangers children face are pedestrian injuries and falls.  To prevent these types of injuries, parents should make sure their children can walk, see and be seen in their costumes.  The costume should be short enough to prevent tripping, be made of light-colored material and include reflective tape.  Children should carry flashlights to help motorists see them. 

Parents should also supervise young children.  If older children are allowed to go with friends, remind them that there is safety in numbers and never to go alone.  Insist that your children stay in their own neighborhood and on an agreed upon route.  Set a time limit for trick-or-treating.