RAYNHAM– Police Chief James Donovan and Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita would like to offer residents some important safety tips as Halloween approaches to ensure everyone celebrates safely and responsibly.

“Neighborhoods are especially busy on Halloween with many kids out and about,” Chief Donovan said. “We ask drivers to slow down and be especially attentive. Look carefully before going through an intersection in case children are crossing the street.”

The Raynham Police and Fire Departments recommend that residents follow safety tips outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

Dressing Up

• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls. Consider adding reflective tape to kids’ costumes and bags to help drivers see them.
• If temperatures are cold during trick-or-treating time, be sure to have your kids wear long sleeves and warm clothing under their costume.
• If a child is wearing a mask instead of make-up, make sure the eye holes are large enough to see through clearly. Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as a safer alternative to masks. Always test make-up in a small area of skin first and always remove make-up before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
• When shopping for costume pieces, look for and purchase ones that are labeled as flame retardant.
• Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible. A child may be easily hurt by accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.

Trick-or-Treating

• Children under 12 should always be accompanied by an adult. Avoid trick-or-treating alone.
• If your older children are going out without parental supervision, go over ground rules first and set a curfew. Have them travel in a group, with a cell phone and flashlight. Make sure children know how to call 911 if they have an emergency.
• Pedestrian injuries are very common on Halloween. Remind kids to stay in a group. They should walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic. Crosswalks should be used whenever possible and children should always look both ways before crossing the street.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on. Never go into a home or car for a treat.
• Examine all of your kids’ treats for choking hazards and tampering. Do not eat treats that have been opened, even partially. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Keeping Your Home Safe for Trick-or-Treaters

• Make sure your home is well-lit inside and out and that there is a clear path to your front door.
• Keep all decorations like cornstalks and hay away from heat sources and lit candles.
• Use battery-operated tea lights instead of candles in jack o’lanterns.
• Remember to put matches and lighters away in a high, locked cabinet so children cannot access them or be tempted to relight jack o’lanterns by themselves.

“To ensure kids can trick-or-treat safely, homeowners should make sure their walkways and porches are clear and well-lit,” Chief LaCivita said. “Trick-or-treaters should also avoid streets with little to no light as dark roads and street corners make it harder for drivers to see you.”

As always, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to Raynham Police by dialing 911.

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