Halloween is a Saturday this year, which often means some later-than-usual trick-or-treating. In Hartford, police are planning "strategic patrols" to help keep young ghouls and princesses safe from harm.
"To promote safety and community awareness during the annual Trick-or-Treat holiday, Hartford Police will be conducting additional patrols through residential developments," a department announcement states. "Residents should report any suspicious or criminal activity to their local police agency by calling 911."
The Hartford Police Department sent out some tips for drivers on staying safe this Halloween.
- Designate your sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.
- If you’re impaired, call a taxi, a sober friend or family member to help get you home safely.
- Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement.
The Hartford Police Department is also encouraging parents to supervise kids who are trick-or-treating, and follow these safety guidelines:
- Know your trick-or-treaters' route.
- Take a flashlight.
- Be sure costumes, shoes, and treat bags are safe.
- Remind kids not to enter strangers' homes or cars.
- Set rules about not eating treats until kids get home, and inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them.
- Candy that has been opened should be thrown away, and homemade treats or fruit inspected closely.
- Remember drivers have a hard time seeing people, especially at dusk.
- Never cross the street from between parked cars.
- Watch open flames from jack-o-lanterns as they can catch costumes and long wigs on fire.
- Make sure that fake knives, swords, and guns are made from cardboard or other flexible materials to avoid accidental injury or worse, have them mistaken for the real thing.
And the Hartford Police offered these tips to keep your home and property safe for trick-or-treaters:
- Turn on your porch light.
- Move lit jack-o-lanterns off the porch where kids get bunched up if they are trick-or-treating in groups.
- Remove objects from your yard that might cause a slip, trip or fall.
Finally, the Hartford Police Department reminds drivers to "drive slowly all evening; you never know what creature(s) may suddenly cross your path."
