Halloween is coming! Chief John J. Bryfonski and the Bedford Police Department are sharing some important safety tips to help ensure that families and children enjoy the fun, costumes, and candy safely, cavities notwithstanding.
“Halloween is meant to be a fun full activities, but families should be mindful that the fall also means colder weather and earlier sunsets. We want everyone to have a safe, secure, enjoyable time while enjoying events or trick-or-treating,” Chief Bryfonski said.
Oct. 31 falls on a Tuesday this year and Bedford Police will work to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. The Town of Bedford has designated 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31 as the community’s official trick-or-treat hours.
Important Tips
Children should:
- Only approach well-lit houses and always travel in small groups
- Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them
- 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
- Walk and don’t run from house to house
- Wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing under costumes
- Never accept rides from strangers
Parents and guardians should:
- Supervise their children at all times
- 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
- If driving children between houses and neighborhoods, have them get out of cars on the curbside, not on the traffic side.
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
Motorists should:
- Use headlines during commutes to maximize visibility
- Obey posted speed limits at all times. Police will aggressively pull over and ticket speeding motorists.
- Yield for pedestrians and keep eyes on the road. Watch for children and families crossing the road — at crosswalks or away from crosswalks.
Additionally, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to the Bedford Police at 603-472-5113 or by dialing 911.
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