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Halloween Hours and Safety

The official Halloween hours in the City of Muskegon are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on October 31.

With this time fast approaching, youngsters will soon be out trick or treating. As they get ready to collect their Halloween treats, the Muskegon Police Department has a few tips to make this a fun and safe Halloween.

PET SAFETY – Halloween can be a stressful time for pets with all of the commotion and there are some steps that can be taken to keep pets from being lost and to also keep them safe.

• Keep pets in a room away from the door, to prevent them from escaping or from getting scared by strangers in costumes.

• Keep candy out of reach of dogs and cats - chocolate, the artificial sweetener xylitol, and candy wrappers are all dangerous to our pets.

• Bring pets inside the house.

• If you choose to dress your pet up in a costume, don't leave them unattended. Make sure they can't chew or swallow small pieces of the costume.

• Monitor pets around decorations - make sure they don't chew cords, try to eat the decorations, or knock over candles.


COSTUME SAFETY - There are steps parents can take to keep their little ghosts and goblins safe in their disguises:

• Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Use flame-resistant costumes.
• Use face makeup instead of masks, which can cover their eyes and make it hard to see.


BE SAFE WHILE OUT AND ABOUT - To maximize safety for the trick or treaters, plan a route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If the children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they walk through the neighborhood. Here are more safety tips to follow as children go from house to house:

Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight.
• Visit only the homes that have a porch light on.
• Accept treats at the door-never go inside.
• Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.
• Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.
• Don’t cut across yards or use alleys.
• Don’t cross between parked cars.
• Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.


GREETING TRICK OR TREATERS - For those who expect to welcome trick-or-treaters at their door, they can make sure it’s fun for everyone by following a few tips:

• Make sure the outdoor lights are on.
• Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps.
• Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
• Restrain pets.
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle in jack-o-lanterns to avoid a fire hazard.

TREAT SAFETY
We encourage parents to check all of the children’s treats prior to letting them consume it.


MOTORISTS - We encourage motorists to be on alert.

• Pay attention to crosswalks, intersections and the side of the road. Children will be having fun and concentrating on their next treat. Looking out for vehicles may not be a priority for them.
• Drive below the posted speed limit where trick-or-treating is active. If you are dropping off or picking up your children, pull off the road into a safe area and turn on your hazard lights to alert other motorists.”

The Muskegon Police Department plans to have extra manpower on the streets to promote safety during trick-or-treat hours.