Halloween Trick-or-Treat Safety Tips for Royal Oak

Although Royal Oak doesn’t officially designate trick-or-treat times, youngsters will be outin costume picking up treats from participating residences.

To make sure everyone stays safe, here are Halloween safety tips from the Royal Oak Police and Fire Departments from the city’s webiste.

• Children should have all treats carefully inspected before eating.
• Children should accept treats only at the doorway.
• Never enter a stranger’s home.
• Homeowners, never invite children to enter your home.
• Children should never accept rides from strangers.
• Children should never take shortcuts through back yards or alley ways.
• Set a time limit for your children to be out on Halloween night.
• Children should travel in groups of 3-5 people.
• Adults should escort children while they trick-or-treat.
• Adult escorts and children should carry flashlights if possible.
• All fruit should be discarded unless you know the source is safe.
• Keep pets inside your home, or another safe place, on Halloween night.
• Children should walk and never run during trick-or-treating.
• Parents should know what route their children are taking within the neighborhood.
• All costumes should be made of light colored, fire-proof, preferably reflectorized material.
• Props such as toy guns or swords should be made of pliable material.
• Realistic replica firearms should NEVER be used.
• Masks should only be worn if they are properly fitted and provide unobstructed breathing and visibility.
• Children should always use sidewalks and not the streets for walking.
• Children should look in all directions before crossing the street.
• If you are driving, slow it down and watch out for kids.

» Patch file photo