1. Trick-or-treat with trusted neighbors. Use the Nextdoor Treat Map to plan your route ahead of time and find the safest, most efficient route to the candy. You can access the Treat Map here: http://www.nextdoor.com/treat. If you’re planning to hand out candy this year, add your house to the map! Don’t forget to choose the newly added Teal Pumpkin if you plan to hand out non-food treats for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. Help make Halloween a safe day for all kiddos.
2. Dress like a ghoul or goblin, but stay safe. Make sure costumes and candy bags or pails are reflective. Costumes shouldn’t drag too far on the ground to avoid tripping, and masks, hats, and shoes should be well-fitting.
3. If you plan to be driving during trick-or-treat hours, watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs. Be sure to enter and exit driveways carefully.
4. Use well-marked routes to get to the candy. Always use the sidewalk, and do not cut across yards or use alleys. Wherever possible, cross the road at a crosswalk.
5. When in doubt, throw the candy out. Avoid candy that has loose wrappings, is completely unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade and not factory-wrapped. Small children should not be allowed hard candy, which could be a choking hazard.
6. Know your neighborhood! Head over to sjso.org and check out OffenderWatch to find out where the sexual offenders and predators are located so you can be sure to avoid those houses. Deputies will be going to these homes to make sure that the offenders and predators are not handing out candy per Florida Statute but it’s always best to stay safe and know ahead of time. You can also sign up for alerts for when a sexual offender or predator moves into your area. Head over to sjso.org for more details.
