Before children start out on “trick or treat” rounds, parents should ensure the following:
- It is suggested that parents and children wear a face covering or face mask covering their nose and mouth, not obstructing eye view when going to the many homes for “trick or treat” rounds.
- Practice social distancing whenever possible by keeping 6 feet away from others who do not live with you. Have a bottle of hand sanitizer on hand for quick use if needed.
- Keep safety in mind when designing costumes to ensure children have a fun-filled and safety-filled Halloween.
- Select a costume that is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over costume masks when possible. Costume masks can limit children’s vision.
- In the event of cold weather, choose costumes that are slightly loose so that warm clothes can be worn underneath. This allows freedom of movement when walking or climbing steps to the front door to get treats.
- During trick-or-treat rounds, accompany youngsters under the age of 12.
- Children should travel only in familiar areas, along a prearranged route, and be instructed never to enter a stranger’s home. Additionally, a return time to home should be established.
- Before eating treats, ensure kids as well as adults wash their hands with soap and water before handling and eating treats.
- Explain to youngsters not to eat any treats until you have inspected the treats. A meal or a snack beforehand will help deter them from digging into their candy.
For more information, please call the Milwaukee Police Department Safety Division at 414-935-7990.
Planning ahead can help make this Halloween a safe one. Taking simple fire safety precautions, like making sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame-resistant, can prevent fires.
Facts & Figures:
- Decorations for special events accounted for an annual average of 1,000 home fires, most often involving candles, and causing two civilian deaths and $6.8 million in direct property damage per year from 1993-1998.
- More than 100 people die each year as a result of their clothing becoming ignited.
Safety Tips:
- Purchase only costumes, wigs and props labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant. When creating a costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes in contact with heat or flame. Avoid billowing or long trailing features.
- Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, heaters, etc.
- Use extreme caution when decorating with candles, and supervise children at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside Jack-O-Lanterns, use long, fireplace-style matches and be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from all combustible items. Pumpkins can also be illuminated with small, inexpensive flashlights.
- Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.
- Use flashlights as alternatives to candles or torch lights when decorating walkways and yards. They are much safer for trick-or-treaters, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
- Instruct children to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Be sure children know how to stop, drop and roll in the event their clothing catches fire. (Stop immediately, drop to the ground, covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames.)
- Instruct children who are attending parties at others' homes to locate the exits and plan how they would get out in an emergency.
- Provide children with lightweight flashlights to carry for lighting or as part of their costume
Get More Halloween Safety Tips
Many neighborhood groups and block clubs are organizing their own Trick or Treat event in their neighborhoods. The Department of Public Works Special Events Office has received several requests to block off side streets for neighborhood sponsored events. Block party permits require the signatures of neighbors on the block to make sure they do not object to the street being blocked during the time of the event and they should be submitted 30 days in advance. Please visit Special Events & Permits or call 414-286-3915.