FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Oct. 18, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Melrose Police Department Offers Halloween Safety Tips

MELROSE — With Halloween right around the corner, Chief Michael L. Lyle and the Melrose Police Department wish to remind families of several important safety tips as they prepare to take their children trick-or-treating.

Recommended trick-or-treating hours in Melrose are 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.

“Halloween is a day children look forward to all year,” Chief Lyle said. “We want everyone in the community to have an enjoyable experience, but it’s important for children and families to remember to stay safe at all times when out trick-or-treating, and for motorists to be especially cautious when driving through busy neighborhoods.”

The Melrose Police Department wishes to offer the following tips to the community to help ensure everyone has a fun and safe Halloween.

Children should:

• Only approach well-lit houses and always travel in small groups
• Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant
• Use flashlights for guidance on sidewalks, walkways and when crossing the street
• Make sure masks have eye-holes large enough to see any tripping hazards or oncoming traffic, and mouth openings large enough to breathe easily
• Practice safe street-crossing by using crosswalks and walk signals
• Wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing under costumes

Parents and guardians should:

• Supervise children under 12 years old
• Establish a designated curfew for older children
• Make sure children are wearing safe costumes that fit well and don’t drag on the ground
• Apply reflective tape to your child’s arms, legs and treat bags
• Assure costume accessories such as swords and other pointed objects are made with soft and safe materials

Homeowners should:

• Keep inside and outside lights on during trick-or-treat hours
• Avoid placing lit candles and jack-o-lanterns on doorsteps and walkways where costumes could brush against them and cause burns or fire
• Only hand out candy that is packaged and wrapped
• Avoid handing out small toys that could cause choking or lead poisoning for small children

Additionally, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to the Melrose Police Department at 781-665-1212

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