The Lake Orion Police Department provides these common sense suggestions to parents and homeowners to ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween. Please review these ideas with your children in advance. Happy Haunting!
Preparing Your Home
? Clear all walkways of wet leaves, clear garden hoses and other hazards in the pathways trick or treaters will follow to and from your door.
? Make sure any lit candles or jack-o-lanterns are well away from the area children will gather at your door. A child’s costume could ignite if placed too close.
? Turn on the porch light at the door you will pass out treats. An unlit doorway is hazardous and uninviting.
? NEVER invite or request children enter your home to receive a treat.
? Lock all other doors and windows other than the door you are using to pass out treats.
? Please keep all pets, especially dogs, secured. Any dog could bite a child if startled.
Costume Considerations
? Purchase only costumes that state they are flame retardant.
? Be sure the costume is not too long, tripping hazards will result.
? Consider using face paint instead of a mask. Masks restrict a child’s vision.
? If you must use a mask, enlarge the eyeholes as needed to expand vision area.
? Use reflective tape or bright color costumes. Always suggest a white candy bag for extra illumination; a white pillowcase is an ideal candy bag.
Pre-Fright Checklist
? Prepare a route for your children; agree on a start time and location and end time and location.
? Chaperone your children, if possible. If not, have them go out in a group of at least three children, if possible. There is safety in numbers.
? Do not allow children to ride a bicycle during trick or treat. Costumes get entangled and other children are placed at risk of collision in the dark.
? Take a flashlight or glow stick, and carry a cellular telephone if available.
? Remind children they may dial 911 from any telephone, including payphones, at no charge.
? Openly discuss inappropriate behavior during Halloween activities, what you expect.
? Prepare and ensure children eat a good meal just prior to heading out.
In-Fright Safety
? Always use sidewalks. Do not walk on the roadways except when crossing the street.
? Look two times before crossing a street.
? Try to cross in groups; if on a busy street, cross at the crosswalk.
? NEVER cross a street from between parked cars.
? NEVER enter a person’s home to receive a treat.
? NEVER approach an unlighted home or porch.
? NEVER accept treats from persons in vehicles. Houses only.
? ALWAYS be respectful of other persons and property.
? ALWAYS say THANK YOU
? ALWAYS have fun.
Post-Fright Inspection
? Adults should inspect all treats before consumption.
? Discard opened or unwrapped items. Never eat fruit.
? Don’t overeat on the first night.
The Lake Orion Police Department will be performing safety inspections on treats at the Police Department 37 E. Flint Street in Downtown Lake Orion starting at 6:30 PM on Halloween night. Lake Orion police officers will perform Community Safety Patrols throughout the village on Halloween night.
Parents that are driving a vehicle behind their children, please focus on your driving, not just your child. Small children are darting in and out. They depend on your observations.
Be safe and have and enjoyable evening with your family.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact our dispatch center at (248) 693-8321.
— Jerry L. Narsh
Chief of Police