Halloween - safety first in Sunny Isles Beach
By Chief Fred Maas and Sandra Block, AdministrativeCoordinator, SIB Police Dept.

We don’t have to tell any parent or grandparent or guardian of the need in today’s society to be “On Alert” when it comes to your children. And with the approaching seasonal holidays and fun days like Halloween that alert needs to be exceptional.
Sad as it is, there are persons in our midst who will exploit situations and take advantage of our children. Because your police department cares about our youth and our community we offer the following safety tips and guidelines that may help even one child or one parent avoid problems:

TRICK OR TREATERS

• Carry a flashlight so that you can see and be seen by others.
• Walk, do not run and stay in a group.
• Remain on well lighted streets and stay on sidewalks, if no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• When crossing the street, cross at crosswalks and obey traffic signals.
• Stay in familiar neighborhoods.
• Do not cut across yards or driveways.
• Never enter a stranger’s home or car for a treat.
• Approach only houses that are lit.

PARENTS

• Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
• If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark and carry a cell phone or change to call home. You should know where they're going.
• If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material. Make sure that the costumes are short enough to prevent tripping or entanglement. Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape. Secure identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within attire.
• Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
• Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspicious.

HOMEOWNERS

• Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkways. Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots.
• Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater.
• Battery powered jack o'lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
  

Have a Wonderful and Safe Halloween and we will see you at “Booogie by the Beach” events sponsored by The City of Sunny Isles Beach.

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