Full Notification

Halloween is this Thursday and that means it's time for "Tips not Tricks" to keep you and your little monsters safe this Halloween night.

First and foremost, make sure costumes are easy to walk in and do not impair vision or hearing.

Plan your Trick-or-Treat route in advance and pick a time frame that works best for the age of your child.

Make sure to carry flashlights , or glow sticks, or attach some sort of reflective material to your costumes or clothing so you can be seen by drivers once it gets dark out.

Obey all traffic signs , signals, and laws whether on foot , in a car , or on a broom. Halloween is not a free for all to cross the street willy-nilly. Your head needs to be on a swivel like a possessed demon whose head spins "right round, like a record baby, right round, round, round".

Be respectful. Only go to homes that are clearly participating in Halloween. Talk to your teens about avoiding mischievous behavior like doorbell ditching or showing up at someone's home way too late in the evening.

Once the goodies are got, remember, a thank you goes a long way. This is the only time we want little ones to take candy from a stranger, but only in your presence. So, remind them about "stranger danger "

Finally, we know you'll get the munchies on your journey, but if you break into the candy without checking it first, know that's risky. And, please don't litter candy wrappers on city streets. Litterbug costumes aren't our favorites.

Have fun, but be smart. And, be safe this Halloween night, so, in the words of Winifred Sanderson , you'll live to see "another glorious morning."