CINCINNATI -- The City of Cincinnati is offering tips for parents and those who wish to trick-or-treat this Saturday for Halloween.
The city has designated the hours between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. for trick-or-treating.
The Cincinnati Police Department has some tips to make this a safe Halloween for everyone.
MOTORISTSExercise extreme caution when driving a vehicle. Be on the alert for excited youngsters, whose vision may be obscured by masks, darting into traffic.
ADULTSWelcome trick-or-treaters by turning on your porch lights and any exterior lights.
Patrol your street occasionally to discourage speeding motorists, acts of malicious mischief and crimes against children.
Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your police department immediately. Call 9-1-1.
Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
TRICK OR TREAT TIPSMake sure children dress up safely.
Make sure costumes are flame retardant so children are not in danger near burning jack-o-lanterns or candles.
Keep costumes short so children can walk without tripping or falling.
Try makeup instead of a mask. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, a dangerous thing when they are crossing streets and going up and down steps.
Make sure children wear light colored clothing, or put reflective tape on their costumes.
Make trick-or-treating trouble free.
Trick-or-treaters should always be in groups. There is safety in numbers. Parents should accompany young children.
Make sure older children trick-or-treat with friends. Together, map out a safe route so you will know where they are going. Tell them to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
Try to do trick-or-treating while it is still light. After dark, make sure someone in the group has a flashlight, and travel well-lighted streets.
Remind children to obey all traffic rules: Walk on sidewalks, not the street. Look in all directions before crossing the street. Cross only at street corners, never from between parked cars, and never diagonally across an intersection. Walk – never run -- across the street. Keep a safe distance from moving cars.
