Halloween Safety Tips & Safe Trick-Or-Treating Events |

The Reno Fire Department (RFD) is reminding everyone to be careful this Halloween.

They offer these safety tips:

Fire Safety:

Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns instead of open flame
When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric
Teach children to stay away from open flames
Dried flowers, cornstalks, crepe paper, and black plastic sheeting can easily catch fire
Keep open flame and smoking materials away from these types of decoration

Trick or Treating:

Younger children should always be accompanied by an adult
Older children going out alone should share their planned route with their parents
Instruct children to travel only in familiar well lit areas
Stay alert and put electronic devices down when next to streets and roads
Wear or carry a light or something reflective

Safety Tips for Motorists:

Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
Stay alert and watch for children on the roadways, medians, and curbs. Many costumes involve dark clothing and may be hard to see.
Discourage inexperienced drivers from driving• on Halloween night
Stay off your phone

More information is available at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website.

The Reno Police Department (RPD) is looking forward to celebrating the Halloween weekend with the community.

Tips from them to stay safe this weekend:

Impaired Driving

If you've been drinking or consuming legal substances such as marijuana, don't drive.
Choose a designated driver.
Use taxis or ride sharing services.
Don't drink alone as you are more likely to take risks.
Never get in a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking.
If safe to do so, take keys to prevent friends who are impaired from driving.

Trick or Treating

Children are twice as likely to be struck by a vehicle during Halloween.
Incorporate reflective materials, lights, glow sticks, etc. into costumes.
Adults should always accompany children.
Teach children to never enter a stranger's home or car.
Teach children not to consume candy until an adult can make sure it is safe (damaged packaging, allergies, etc.)
Teach children to make eye contact with motorists before stepping into a roadway.
Keep your heads up! Avoid use of distractions such as phones or other electronics.
Walk across streets, never run.
Prowl for your treats in well lit neighborhoods.

Motorists

Slow down - speed exponentially increases injury severity in collisions with pedestrians.
Watch for children on roadways, on medians, curb areas, and sidewalks. Expect children to appear from anywhere.
Watch for children in dark clothing as they are harder to see after darkness.
Make eye contact with pedestrians.
Enter and exit driveways with increased caution.
Younger inexperienced drivers should be discouraged from driving on Halloween.

Social Gatherings

Be considerate - communicate with neighbors about the plans you have and establish a way for them to contact you in the event noise from your gathering becomes bothersome to them.
Uninvited Guests? Do not permit uninvited or unknown guests at your gathering as this can lead to "out of control" gatherings. If uninvited guests refuse to leave, contact police for assistance.

For those planning to welcome trick-or-treaters to their homes, the Red Cross offers these safety steps:

Give out treats outdoors, if possible
Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters by setting up an area with individually bagged treats for kids to take. Wash your hands before handling treats.
Maintain social distancing and wear a cloth mask
Light the area well so young visitors can see
Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps
Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over

Download the free Red Cross First Aid app for instant access to advice in case your ghost, goblin or superhero has a mishap. Use the Emergency app for weather alerts and to let others know you are safe if severe weather occurs.

Halloween Safety Tips & Safe Trick-Or-Treating Events

GOVERNOR'S MANSION, CARSON CITY:

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and First Lady Kathy Sisolak will host trick-or-treating and hand out candy at the Nevada Governor’s Mansion on Sunday, October 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The mansion is located at 606 Mountain Street in Carson City.

Entertainment during the event will include fire dancers from Controlled Burn.

Only individuals/groups who are wearing a cloth or surgical mask will be able to get a photo with the Governor and First Lady.

All children will be allowed to approach the Governor and First Lady to trick-or-treat. Non-masked parents will be required to maintain six feet of distance from the Governor and First Lady.

Signage will be posted at the beginning of the line advising of mask requirements for photos. Another sign will be posted requesting social distancing for unmasked parents while kids are trick-or-treating.

NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM:

Trick or Treat in the Streets of the Museum from 2 to 5 p.m. with a costume contest and prizes at 5 p.m.

The museum is at 10 South Lake Street near downtown Reno.

The Museum offers parents a chance to enjoy more than 220 cars and authentic street scenes with facades; cars and artifacts from each era while their kids collect candy and play games.

Event tickets $3 for children and $2 for adults. For more information, click here.