Sheriff's Department offers Halloween safety tips

An increase in ghosts, zombies and superheroes will take to the streets this Halloween and so too will an increase in Charles County Sheriff’s officers.

The CCSO will increase patrols of neighborhoods while costumed youngsters canvass the county for tricks and treats. In addition to the patrol officers on regular duty, the operation will include more than a dozen officers from the Community Policing Unit, School Resource Unit and Command Staff who will patrol in marked patrol cars, on bicycles and on foot.

“Increasing our patrols each Halloween is as much a tradition for us as trick-or-treating is for the youngsters,” said Sheriff Rex Coffey. “Heightened visibility key to deterring crime but also ensures a quick response in the event a crime or other emergency occurs.”

Although the CCSO does not designate an official time for Halloween celebrations to occur, the Agency recommends trick-or-treaters keep to the traditional Halloween time frame: 6-8 p.m. Some neighborhoods choose to host other Halloween celebrations but such festivities are coordinated and announced by the particular neighborhoods.

The CCSO is also sharing the following safety tips and encourages families to share them with trick-or-treaters before Halloween festivities begin:

For Trick-or-Treaters:

Young children should always trick-or-treat with an adult and older children should never trick-or-treat alone.
Be careful crossing the streets. Cross at the corner and look both ways.
Stay to the side of the street or, where possible, on a sidewalk.
Only visit homes whose residents you know.
Do not eat candy that has not been inspected by a trusted adult or any homemade treats or unpackaged foods like fruit.
Never cut across yards or use alleys as short cuts.
Never accept food or drink from strangers.
Never enter a stranger’s home or car.
Only visit well-lit homes.
Carry a flashlight.
Make sure your costume has something reflective on it so you are visible to passing motorists; that it is short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement and contact with flames; and that it is flame resistant. Remember to “Stop, Drop and Roll” if your costume catches fire.
Carry with you your emergency contact information.
Obey traffic signals.
Do not trick-or-treat past 8 p.m.

When Giving Candy:

Offer only wrapped or packaged candy.
Never give homemade treats. Not only are the ingredients not listed — a threat to children with food allergies — but parents are encouraged to discard them. Parents are also encouraged to discard any unpackaged foods, even fruit, so also refrain from offering these.
Remember that children are going to get a lot of candy. Consider other possible gifts like crazy pencils, one-serving cereal boxes, stickers, etc.
Keep your lights on if you are participating in the festivities and be sure to clear a safe path for trick-or-treaters. Remove items such as hoses and wet leaves to prevent falling and injury.

When Inspecting Candy: