City Offers Halloween Safety Tips

The Las Cruces police and fire departments are reminding parents to take the necessary steps to make Halloween safe for all involved.

Possibly the most important safeguard – especially for parents of young trick-or-treaters – is to make sure their children are chaperoned by a parent or responsible adult.

To help keep young trick-or-treaters safe, the Las Cruces Fire Department will be handing out free glowsticks on Halloween. The glowsticks are intended to be worn while trick-or-treating and will be available free of charge, while supplies last, on Saturday, Oct. 31, at all Las Cruces fire stations.

Halloween safety tips include:

• Go trick-or-treating with your child and, if possible, in a group.
• Make sure that costumes are visible to homeowners and motorists.
• Use a flashlight while trick-or-treating after dark and consider incorporating a glow stick into your child’s costume.
• Ensure that costumes fit properly and do not interfere with walking or vision.
• Keep costumes and decorations away from open flames such as candles in jack-o’-lanterns.
• Consider using flameless, battery-operated candles or glow sticks in jack-o’-lanterns.
• Trick-or-treaters should keep to sidewalks and walkways.
• Cross streets only in designated crosswalks and only after checking for traffic.
• Parents and caretakers should keep close watch of their children at all times.
• Those who invite trick-or-treaters on their property should ensure that sidewalks and walkways have adequate lighting and are safe for their guests.
• Properly contain pets – especially large dogs – that might scare or knock down children or become aggressive.
• Motorists should be on the lookout for increased pedestrian traffic, especially children, in residential neighborhoods.
• Thoroughly inspect all treats and candy and moderate the amount your child may consume. If a candy is not wrapped or not properly sealed, do not consume it.
• Call police immediately to report inappropriate behavior, suspicious activity or potentially dangerous situations.

Revelers also should be mindful that not all homeowners celebrate Halloween or enjoy ghosts and goblins knocking on their doors. The basic rules of thumb are to refrain from trick-or-treating at homes that have no Halloween displays or lighting, and keep your activities limited to respectable hours.