Annapolis Police: A Safe Halloween is a Happy Halloween

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is Thursday, 10/31, and the Annapolis Police Department wants to make sure that all Trick-or-Treaters have a safe and fun Halloween.  Please visit www.annapolis.gov/police and click on Your Safety in the menu on the left hand side for links to more Halloween safety tips.


Know the route your kids will be taking if you aren't going with them. Let them know to check in with you every hour, by phone or by stopping back at home. Make sure they know not to deviate from the planned route so you always know where they will be. Your best bet is to have an adult go with them. If you can't take them yourself, see if another parent can.

Be sure to show your children how to cross a street properly. They should always look both ways before crossing the street and should only cross at corners or crosswalks. Make sure that if you have more than one child, they know to take the hand of the younger child when they cross a street.  Have your child carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing.

Make sure you set a time for your kids to be home. Make sure they know how important it is for them to be home on time or to call immediately if something happens and they are going to be delayed.

Help your child choose a costume that will be safe. Make sure it’s fire proof or treated with fire retardant. If your child is wearing a mask of any kind, make sure that the eye holes are large enough for good peripheral vision.

Make sure that if your child is carrying a prop that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury. Make sure that costumes won't get in the way when they are walking, which could cause them to trip.

Teach your kids about not going into cars and homes of people they don’t know or who you haven’t given them permission to be with.

Check the Maryland Sex Offender registry and do a search for sex offenders in your neighborhood. http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/sorSearch/

Check all candy for choking hazards and tampering before eating.