Loker Kids Offer Tips in Halloween Safety (With the Help of the Wayland PD)

The students in Meg Haydon's kindergarten class at The Loker School know a few things about Halloween safety.

So many things, in fact, that when Wayland Youth Officer Shane Bowles and Officer Seanna Lombardo stopped by to talk about the topic, the kids did most of the talking.

Bowles asked the class whether anyone had tips for staying safe on Halloween and hands popped up throughout the room. We've included some of our favorite stay safe suggestions from the kindergartners below:

- Don't take other people's candy.

- Don't give chocolate to dogs.

- Police officers have the best candy (A tip that brought smiles from the officers in the room).

- Don't eat too much candy because you could get a tummy ache.

- Say "Please" and "Thank you."

While we think this is a fairly comprehensive list of Halloween safety (and etiquette) tips, Wayland Police Chief Bob Irving did supply some official, police-sanctioned safety tips. In addition, he announced that free glow bracelets are available, while supplies last, from the dispatch center at the Public Safety Building.

Irving's press release is below:

The Wayland Police Department recommends that all residents follow the Halloween Safety Tips issued by the Children’s Safety Zone. Following these guidelines will make this Halloween a safe and enjoyable one.

Trick-or-Treaters

• Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
• Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
• (If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
• Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
• Approach only houses that are lit.
• Stay away from and don't pet animals you don't know.

Parents

• Make sure your child eats dinner before setting out.
• 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.
• If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
• Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
• You should know where they're going.
• 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 suspect. Contact police if candy appears to have been tampered with.

Homeowners

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flowerpots that can trip the young ones.
• 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.
• If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
• Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won't be blown into a flaming candle.

Wayland Police will increase patrol coverage to provide better protection for Halloween. Any resident may pick up a free glow bracelet and bright orange trick or treat bag, for their children’s safety, at the Wayland Public Safety Building Dispatch Center, while supplies last.