In East Grand Rapids, trick-or-treating traditionally takes place on the evening of Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m.
Public Safety reminds parents of the following precautions and asks that you share them with your children. Parents and children are welcome to visit Public Safety throughout the week of Oct. 25 to pick up glow stick lights to clip onto their costumes or wear as a necklace on Halloween night. The lights will also be available at the Public Safety Open House on Oct. 23.
Young children should:
- Be accompanied by an adult at all times
- Have their name, address and phone number on their costume
- Not try to keep up with the “big kids” and venture off
Older children should:
- Take a pre-established route in a known neighborhood and have a curfew
- Remain on sidewalks and not trampling across yards
- Cross streets at the corner, NOT between parked cars
- Trick-or-treat in groups and remain together before crossing the street
- Only go to well-lit houses and do not enter any homes
Other special notes:
- Costumes should be flame-retardant, fit properly and marked with reflective tape.
- All participants should carry flashlights and wear some sort of reflective clothing to caution drivers at dusk — even glowsticks will help.
- Avoid oversized shoes, high heels, trailing skirts or pants your child could trip on.
- If you light a jack-o-lantern with a candle, use "votive" candles as they are the safest.
- Place lighted pumpkins on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects. Never leave them unattended.
- Tell children to bring all their treats home, so a parent can check them out. Look for signs of tampering such as small pinholes in wrappers and torn or loose packaging. Remember, small items like gum, peanuts, hard candy, or small toys can pose choking hazards for young children.
- Remove any hazards, garden hoses, toys, bikes, lawn decorations, leaves, etc. that a child could trip over from your yard. Make sure your house entrance is well-lit and replace any burned-out bulbs.
- If you are out driving on Halloween, drive slowly, watch for children and exit driveways with care.