Crime & Safety
Wakefield Police Provide Halloween Safety Tips
For starters, wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant.

A release and a reminder from the Wakefield Police Department:
| As Halloween quickly approaches, Chief Richard E. Smith and the Wakefield Police Department want to remind families of several important safety tips as they prepare to take their children trick-or-treating this year. |
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| “On behalf of the entire Wakefield Police Department, we want to make sure our residents have a safe and happy Halloween,” Chief Smith said. “We ask that trick-or-treaters and their families follow these safety guidelines to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable night.” |
Find out what's happening in Wakefieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
| Halloween, which is celebrated on Oct. 31, falls on a Tuesday this year. |
| Children should: |
· Only approach well-lit houses and always travel in small groups
· 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
· Wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing under costumes
| Parents and guardians should: |
· Supervise children under 12 years old
· 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
| 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
| Additionally, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to the Wakefield Police Department by calling 781-245-1212. |
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