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Halloween is finally here! Whether you’re trick-or-treating around the neighborhood on Thursday or are going to a local family-friendly gathering like Southlake DPS’ Trunk or Treat event on Wednesday, there’s plenty of fun things to do for the satisfyingly sweet occasion.
However, with plenty of ghosts and ghouls lurking the night, we want our readers to be safe while they’re out trick-or-treating. So we asked Southlake DPS Public Information Officer Brad Uptmore for five tips on staying safe for Halloween night.
1. Don’t Trick-Or-Treat Alone.
Trick-or-treaters are always stronger together. That’s why Brad suggests always going door-to-door with a buddy or a group on Halloween night. Whether you travel with a friend or a family member, trick-or-treating in packs helps everyone watch each other’s backs. And when you’re all done, you can check each other’s loot to see what you might like to trade!
2. Stay Off The Streets.
The streets can be a scary place on Halloween in more ways than one. According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other day in the year. Brad suggests sticking to the sidewalks and wearing reflective tape to avoid possible injury.
3. Stick To The Houses.
Remember your parents telling you not to talk to strangers? While trick-or-treating, be sure to get your treats only from houses in the neighborhood and don’t take any candy from strangers in passing vehicles.
4. Make Sure You Can See Through Your Mask.
With all of the crazy and colorful costumes out there, a few trick-or-treaters might sometimes wear masks that obscure their eyesight. This can cause falls while walking the neighborhood. Therefore, wear a mask that you can see clearly through. Your sense of direction will be less obscured and you’ll get a nice clear look at your Halloween loot!
5. Have Your Parents Check Your Stash.
We know you probably don’t want to share your stash with your parents, but have them check your bags anyway before you commence with the candy-eating. They’ll make sure all of your sweets are safe and that no creepy-crawlies got in there by mistake. “They may gank a piece or two,” Brad says. “But that's a proper tax to make sure it's ok to eat.”