East Brunswick Police Release Halloween Safety Tips

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Halloween is this weekend, and while you might be ready with your costume and plans for the day, there are a few tips you can follow to have a safe celebration.

This year many children may be out trick-or-treating after many events were canceled last year due to the pandemic. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently said that trick-or-treating should be fine this year since it's an outdoor activity that makes it easy to maintain a physical distance.

The East Brunswick police department has released a set of tips that encourages safety and supervision. "It is especially important for parents to adhere to a few safety rules for their children when they are trick-or-treating," police said in a Facebook post.

Here are some safety guidelines before going trick-or-treating:

• Children under age 12 should not be alone at night without supervision.
• Remind children who don't need supervision to stick in large groups and visit familiar areas ad neighborhoods that are well-lit.
• Plan your trick-or-treat route ahead of time and familiarize yourself with your child's route.
• Children should have a flashlight.
• Be sure to inspect all treats before allowing children to eat them.
• Wear costumes that make it easy to walk and to be seen.
• Try using reflective tape on costume whenever possible.

If your home is decorated and you plan to welcome trick-or-treaters, make sure your porch is well-lit, so people can find their way. Remove objects from your yard that present a hazard. Homeowners should be alert and report suspicious activity.

Those driving on Halloween should do so cautiously in neighborhoods as children are usually out in their costumes and tend to be unpredictable when excited, police suggested. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., so drivers need to be extra alert.

The East Brunswick police department has released extensive tips in their "Street Smart" newsletter. You can find it on their Facebook page.