Tips promote a safe Halloween

SANDPOINT — Most Halloween scares are all in good fun, but every year also brings a few of the real horror stories that keep parents up at night.

With the Sandpoint Fire Department’s announcement that they won’t be available to check candy for saftey, residents will have to be more proactive in ensuring their children’s safety this weekend. Fortunately, the Sandpoint Police Department has released some tips to help families have nothing but a happy fright night.

Cpt. Rick Bailey recommends that the public keep Halloween a family event. Parents should accompany their kids on trick or treat expeditions, and if possible, join up with friends or relations to form large groups.

“As the saying goes, there’s safety in numbers,” Bailey said. “That certainly holds true for trick or treating.”

Kids and adults alike should dress warmly. Groups should also wear enough reflective clothing or carry lights to ensure that all drivers in their chosen trick or treating area can easily see them. Well-lit neighborhoods with limited traffic tend to be the safest places for candy-seekers. And for both courtesy and efficient trick or treating, Halloween adventurers should avoid darkened houses without porch lights altogether.

“People who have houses with their porch lights off usually aren’t participating in the festivities or don’t want to be bothered,” Bailey said. “So kids are better off not approaching those homes.”

The kids will probably be eager to dig into their loot after the fun is over, but parents should take a moment to examine the candy. In past years, the SFD inspected candy bags to ensure that no less-than-scrupulous individuals made dangerous alterations to the sweets. That service won’t be available this year, so parents should be on the lookout for open wrappers or other suspicious signs.

For the adults, designated drivers are a must at Halloween house parties. The SPD will issue patrols on the lookout for drivers who have had a few too many, and earlier in the evening, they’ll maintain a presence at Halloween hot spots to keep the kids safe. Despite rumors flying around via Facebook and text messages that Halloween was officially moved to Saturday in Sandpoint, the police will be out Sunday evening.

“We hope people have a great time this Halloween, but a few simple safety measures can make all the difference,” Bailey said. “The catch phrase of the weekend is ‘Have fun. Be safe.’”