The City of Noblesville’s annual trick-or-treating will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Officers from the Noblesville Police Dept. will be paying particular attention to motorists who are not obeying traffic laws in and around residential areas where children will be expected to be walking. All motorists are urged to exercise due care as children sometimes make sudden or unexpected movements such as darting between parked vehicles and crossing streets in locations that are not properly marked, illuminated or designated for pedestrian crossing.
Here are additional safety tips from NPD:
Parents:
- Make sure an adult or older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for younger children.
- Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
- Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit and never enter a stranger’s home.
- Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home. Establish a return time.
- Review all the appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian- and traffic-safety rules.
- Remind children to walk on sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, have children walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
- Remind children to walk, not run. Be careful crossing yards and lawns where unseen objects or uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
Costumes and face design:
- Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
- Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.)
- If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children more visible.
- Avoid masks that may obstruct a child’s vision. Use face paint instead.
Motorists:
- Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
- Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
- Travel at a reduced speed (10 to 15 mph below the posted speed limit), especially in residential areas where it is obvious that children will be walking.
Residents:
- Leave your exterior lights on near your front door if you are participating in handing out candy. Parents and children will use this as a means to identify your willingness to participate.
- Secure any pets (outside and inside) that may become startled because of the costumes, noise or overall increase in activities on that evening.
- Make sure children have a clear path to and from your front door. Decorations or other Halloween displays can sometimes impede or present a tripping hazard for unsuspecting children.
Additional considerations:
- Carrying flashlights will help children see and be seen more clearly.
- When in doubt about a specific treat that your child has brought home, simply throw it away.
- Contact the Noblesville Police Dept. immediately if you suspect that your child’s candy or treat has been compromised in any way.
If you should have any additional questions or concerns, contact Lt. Bruce Barnes at the Noblesville Police Dept. at 776-6340 ext. 1261.