Halloween Safety Tips From DA Charles Hynes

With Halloween fast approaching, here are some easy tips to help keep your children safe while they enjoy trick-or-treating:

• Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult while trick-or-treating;
• Do not eat unwrapped candy and inspect all treats before eating them;
• •Avoid hallways and deserted areas that are dimly lit;
• Do not enter a stranger’s home or car;
• Obey all traffic rules;
• Walk on the sidewalk and not in the street;
• Do not wear costumes that block your view;
• Do not wear clothing or accessories that suggest that you are affiliated with a gang;
• Carry flashlights and wear reflective clothing at night;
• Do not wear costumes that make it difficult to walk;
• If your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out without you, make sure that he or she has a cell phone, and instruct him or her to stay in well lit, well-populated areas. Preferably, it is best for a group to stay together while trick-or-treating without an adult;
• Explain to children of all ages the difference between tricks and vandalism which could be a criminal offense;
• Pet safety should also be a consideration. Some people find Halloween to be an excuse to perpetrate acts of animal cruelty. Harming animals is morally wrong and punishable by the law.

Make this Halloween a fun, safe and a festive occasion for you and your family!

Charles Hynes is the Kings County District Attorney.