McHenry County Sheriff's Office: Halloween Safety Tips

Press release from The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office:

Oct. 27, 2021

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that preparation is the key to a safe Halloween experience. Sheriff’s deputies will be paying extra attention to the residential areas during trick or treating hours. If you see suspicious activity or need assistance call your local police or sheriff’s office.

Below are safety tips to help you prepare:

Walk Safely:

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right, and left again when crossing, and keep looking as you cross.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never run out into the street or cross between parked cars.

Trick or Treat Safely:

• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit, and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Only trick-or-treat during hours designated by the community.
• Eat candy at home after it has been checked by a parent or adult.

Keep Costumes Creative and Safe:

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup instead of masks which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

Drive Extra Safe on Halloween:

• Slow down and be alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited about Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
• Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic, and turn your headlights on to spot children from greater distances.

Safety around Homes:

• Residents expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps, and porches. Minimize the tripping hazards.
• Provide a well-lit area, have lights on around and outside your house.
• Clean up wet leaves to help avoid slips.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater. Some children are not comfortable with pets.

In Illinois, registered sex offenders on parole or probation are prohibited from distributing candy or other items to anyone under 18 years of age. The Sheriff’s Office will be conducting sex offender verification checks of registered sex offenders who are on probation and live in unincorporated areas of McHenry County to assure compliance is met. Information about registered sex offenders in the State of Illinois can be found at: https://isp.illinois.gov/Sor

This press release was produced by The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. The views expressed here are the author's own.