APPLETON, Wis. (WISS) – Going back as far as the 1970s, there have been scares and panics related to Halloween safety. Stories of needles or razor blades in apples and candy have been spread far and wide, resulting in hypervigilance by parents.

So, what are the best practices to remain safe this trick or treating season?

“ I think when we talk about safety in general, every year somewhere in the country, there tends to be some sort of concern about candy. Now, is it happening everywhere? No,” said Lieutenant Meghan Cash, the Public Information and Community Resources Officer with the Appleton Police Department.

“I know a few years ago there was a concern somewhere down the south that there was drugs in somebody’s candy. From a law enforcement perspective, most people that are using drugs are probably not gonna put their drugs in the kids’ bags, right? But those tend to go viral. Those tend to be social media posts that we see flood people’s feeds around Halloween.”

Halloween Treats

To stay safe and for peace of mind, Cash said there are steps parents and kids can take to ensure their candy and other treats are safe.

“ Wait till you get home looking through that candy. Know where you’re going trick-or-treating. Understand, some of those concerns can still exist, but more of that concern is about just like making sure things aren’t unwrapped,” Cash said.

Staying vigilant doesn’t mean that little trick-or-treaters shouldn’t accept an apple or a homemade treat, but instead, parents and kids should pay attention to where the treats come from.

“If you are aware of who your neighbors are. You interact with them on a frequent basis. You have that level of comfort from a parent’s perspective that your child could receive something from that neighbor that you trust. Absolutely! Make that decision,” Cash said. “But overall, if you have those kids that are fired up and ready to go across half the city and places and neighborhoods they aren’t aware of, then we would say use caution.”

Trick-or-Treating and Costumes

Set a clear route. Know where you are going to trick-or-treat. Always have a phone available, and pay attention.

“Have a way to contact family members. Understand that weather can change quickly, understand that something could happen, right?”

When choosing a costume, Cash said to avoid long trailing fabric that can be a tripping hazard. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough for them to see clearly. Give trick-or-treaters flashlights or glow sticks to help them see better. And so drivers can see them better.

“ That starts with everything from their costume, right? So having costumes that are safe, less tripping hazards, having that ability to make sure they’re visible. So whether that’s the use of glow sticks or flashlights or something reflective, trying to maintain that visibility is really important. But let’s say you are going as a group, staying in that group. Making sure that when you’re moving in that group, that you’re staying on the sidewalks.” Cash continued, “Crossing the road safely is really important, you know, looking both ways. As much as it’s exciting to be out there, we see so many pedestrians out on Halloween. That doesn’t mean that the cars aren’t still driving on the road.”

Cash adds that awareness is also essential for people who aren’t trick-or-treating but are driving on roads full of little monsters, ghosts, witches, and Power Rangers.

“Children may dart out between parked cars. That awareness is huge on Halloween. And just as these nights continue to get darker faster, it’s definitely something that we talk about,” she said.

Home Safety

Pets also need to be considered when thinking about Halloween safety.

“It can be really scary for that pet at home to have the doorbell ringing all the time, people coming to the door. So recognizing where your pet is going to feel more comfortable. Maybe it’s not in that same floor as the door is,” Cash said. “We don’t wanna have them get scared and run out of the house. And now we have an animal running that we’re trying to find in the evening, right?”

Cash added that if you have concerns about people coming to your door during trick-or-treating hours, you don’t have to participate.

“Do what you feel comfortable doing related to trick or treating. If you want people to come to your door and ring your doorbell, you can do that. If you don’t wanna do that, the candy on the doorstep works. And also keep in mind that it’s okay to just not participate too. It’s okay to keep that light off and not invite trick-or-treaters to your home,” Cash emphasized.

Fire safety is also a concern for Halloween fun. The National Fire Protection Association recommends using battery-operated candles or glow sticks inside of Jack-O-Lanterns. Keep dried flowers, cornstalks, crepe paper, and other flammable materials away from open flames. Keep exits and walkways clear of obstacles.

Trick or Treating Times

Appleton’s Trick-or-Treat hours are 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31.

Oshkosh’s Trick-or-Treat hours are 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Halloween night, Friday, Oct. 31.

Check with your local municipality for Trick-or-Treating days and times. And as you prepare for the spooky night, make it less scary by using safety tricks that make the treats even better.

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