The Sanibel Police Department (SPD) reported that Halloween is coming up on Oct. 31.<\/p>\n
Trick or treating on the island is suggested from 5 to 8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
All Sanibel police vehicles will have candy to distribute.<\/p>\n
The SPD provided the following holiday safety tips for families:<\/p>\n
MAKE SURE CHILDREN DRESS SAFELY<\/p>\n
\u2013 Check that costumes are flame-retardant, so little ones are not in danger near burning jack-o-lanterns and other fire hazards.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Have them wear light-colored clothing that is short enough to prevent tripping and add reflective tape.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Try make-up instead of a mask. Masks can be hot and uncomfortable and, more importantly, they can obstruct a child\u2019s vision \u2014 a dangerous thing when crossing streets and going up\/downstairs.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Put reflective tape on costumes.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Trick-or-treaters always should be in groups, so they are not a tempting target for real-life goblins. Parents should accompany young children.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Avoid carrying hard plastic or wood props, such as daggers or swords, or other realistic-looking toy weapons.<\/p>\n
MAKE TRICK-OR-TREATING TROUBLE-FREE<\/p>\n
\u2013 Make sure older kids trick-or-treat with friends. Map out a safe route so you will know where they will be and tell them to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Watch for traffic.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Trick-or-treat while it is still light out. If it is dark, make sure someone has a flashlight and only pick well-lighted homes.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Make sure children know not to enter strange houses or a stranger\u2019s car.<\/p>\n
TREATS<\/p>\n
\u2013 Children should not eat their treats until they get home. One way to keep trick-or-treaters from digging in while they are still out is to feed them a meal or a snack beforehand.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Parents should check all treats at home in a well-lighted place.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Report any suspicious treat or packaging to the Sanibel police.<\/p>\n
\u2013 What to eat? Only unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers. Do not forget to inspect fruit and homemade goodies for anything suspicious. Try not to let them eat everything all at once, or they will be feeling pretty ghoulish!<\/p>\n
\u201cHave fun and please be careful,\u201d the SPD shared.<\/p>\n
For questions, contact the Sanibel Police Department at 239-472-3111.<\/p>\n