Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is less than a week away and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office wants to make sure it's a fun, safe night for everyone that goes out trick-or-treating -- and safety starts with the costume.

"The most important thing you want to think bout with costumes is visibility," said Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Bob Harmon.   "One, you want people to be able to see your kids, but you also want a costume where your kids can see where they're going; you don't want to have too much of the eyes or face covered."

There will be a lot of extra foot traffic on the streets that night.  Parents are encouraged to stay with their children and make sure they're staying on sidewalks and in marked crosswalks.  Drivers should be on the lookout as well.

"It's really important Halloween night to give yourself plenty of time, go nice and slow and keep your eyes out for children that might be going for that next piece of candy," Harmon said.  I know it's an exciting night for children, but parents, you need to talk to your children about keeping them calm.  You also need to be out with them looking for anything suspicious and if you do see anything suspicious, report it to law enforcement."

He recommends staying away from homes that aren't welcoming or well-lit and checking over candy to make sure it's in the original packaging.

"There's no piece of candy worth a child's safety," Harmon said.   "You're better off tossing anything you're uncertain about than risking it might be unsafe for the child.  You want to go through your child's bag, look for anything that could even remotely be tampered with and just trash it."

Once again, the District courthouse will be open on Halloween night until 9 p.m. if parents want to run candy through the metal detectors.  The District courthouse and Mills B. Lane courthouse will be open for candy screening during business hours the next day.

There are also plenty of alternatives to traditional trick-or treating.

"Take advantage of some of those so your kids are safe," Harmon said.   "Halloween should be a fun night; the only spooky part should be the ghosts and goblins.  So parents and kids should work together to make it a safe night."

Halloween events: https://www.ktvn.com/story/41210303/list-of-halloween-events-safe-trick-or-treating-locations