Submitted on behalf of the Bedford Police Department
With Halloween now just weeks away, Chief Robert Bongiorno and the Bedford Police Department want to remind families of several important safety tips as they prepare to take their children trick-or-treating.
There is no set time period for trick-or-treating, but Chief Bongiorno urges residents to be mindful of the time of night and asks that children only trick-or-treat at homes with their porch lights on.
Bedford Police recommend that trick-or-treating take place from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.
The Bedford Police Department wishes to offer the following tips to the community to help ensure everyone has a fun and safe Halloween.
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 Bedford Police Department at 781-275-1212
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