Washington Agencies Share Trick-Or-Treating Safety Reminders

SEATTLE, WA — Police and fire departments throughout Washington are sharing a handful of reminders to keep kids and pets safe over Halloween night.

GRAHAM FIRE & RESCUE
Use Crosswalks! According to Graham Fire & Rescue, 70 percent of accidents happen away from intersections and marked crosswalks.

OLYMPIA POLICE

• Consider joining in an organized event.
• Avoid costumes that make it hard to see or move.
• Walk in groups, and with an adult.
• Carry a cell phone.

BELLEVUE POLICE

• Dress kids in light-colored costumes.
• Carry flashlights or glow sticks.
• Never go in a stranger's car or house.

SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

• Wear reflective gear while trick-or-treating.
• When choosing costumes, stay away from trailing fabrics, to prevent falls and injury.
• Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles.
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks an escape route. Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.
• Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns.
• Dried flowers, corn stalks and crepe paper can catch fire easily, keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light-bulbs and heaters.

SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

• Be patient and slow down: give children plenty of time to cross the street.
• Use face paints or makeup rather than masks that could impair vision.
• Make sure props like swords, pitchforks or knives are flexible and have rounded tips to prevent eye injuries.
• Inspect candy for tampering, unusual appearance or discoloration and discard anything suspicious. Throw away anything homemade.

KIRKLAND POLICE

• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put down the phone, keep heads up and walk -- don't run -- across the street.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths when possible. Otherwise walk facing traffic, as far to the left as possible.
• Watch for cars turning or backing out. Teach kids not to dart out in the street.
• Have kids stick to familiar, well-lit areas.

KIRKLAND ANIMAL CONTROL

• Candy is for humans — not pets — and it's not just chocolate that's a problem. Candy and gum sweetened with xylitol can cause dogs' blood sugar levels to drop, and potentially lead to liver failure. Caffeine can also be deadly for dogs and cats.
• Leave the pets at home. Unusual sights and sounds can be disorienting to animals.
• Make sure pet costumes do not hamper your pets' ability to breathe.
• Make sure your animal licenses are up-to-date.

It's Halloween! Check out some safety tips here: https://t.co/qXJ4R9Zpo2
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) October 31, 2019