Melrose Halloween: Police Offer Some Tips

MELROSE, MA — Happy Halloween! In Melrose there are no specified trick-or-treat hours, but police suggest you wrap things up before 9 p.m. Peak trick-or-treat hours fall between 5:30-7:30. Police have a bunch more tips for this year's celebrations in Melrose.

“We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween, and we encourage everyone read and follow these important guidelines,” Chief Michael Lyle said.

Children should:

• Only approach well-lit houses and always travel in small groups.
• Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.
• Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant.
• Use flashlights for guidance on sidewalks, walkways and when crossing the street.
• Make sure masks have eye-holes large enough to see any tripping hazards or oncoming traffic, and mouth openings large enough to breathe easily.
• Practice safe street-crossing by using crosswalks and walk signals.
• Walk and don’t run from house to house.
• Wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing under costumes.
• Never accept rides from strangers.

Parents and guardians should:

• Supervise their children.
• Establish a designated curfew for older children.
• Make sure children are wearing safe costumes that fit well and don’t drag on the ground.
• Apply reflective tape to your child’s arms, legs and treat bags.
• Assure costume accessories such as swords and other pointed objects are made with soft and safe materials.
• If driving children between houses and neighborhoods, have them get out of cars on the curbside, not on the traffic side.

Homeowners should:

• Keep inside and outside lights on during trick-or-treat hours.
• Avoid placing lit candles and jack-o-lanterns on doorsteps and walkways where costumes could brush against them and cause burns or fire.
• Only hand out candy that is packaged and wrapped.
• Avoid handing out small toys that could cause choking or lead poisoning for small children.

Contact police at 781-665-1212 to report suspicious activity.

Image via shutterstock