FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department released a list of tips to keep residents safe during Halloween.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than twice as many children are killed in pedestrian/ vehicle incidents on Halloween between 4-10 p.m. as compared to the same hours on other days throughout the year, according to a press release.

-Never let children trick or treat alone. Older children should go with friends, and younger children should be accompanied by an adult.

-Never let younger children approach a home unattended, and teach them to never enter a home or car without prior permission from a parent or guardian.

-All children should wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick or flashlight after dark.

-Make sure that children can see and breathe unrestricted when wearing costumes and masks. All children’s costumes should be made from flame-resistant materials.

-Know where your children are and whom they are with at all times.

-Parents should talk openly with their children about safety practices and do not be afraid to discuss scenarios.

-Teach children to resist any unwanted attention from a stranger by yelling, kicking and screaming, “This person is not my father/mother.”

-Parents should inspect all candies and toys their children receive before allowing them to eat or play with it.

For a more comprehensive look at child safety during Halloween, Sheriff Curry would like to invite parents to visit Safekids.org/our-work/research/reports/halloween-research-report.pdf. Safe Kids Worldwide is a national leader in the prevention of injuries to children, the release stated.

Also, anyone who plans on trick-or-treating in Shelby County is encouraged to visit Shelbyso.com. The Sheriff’s Office homepage has a “Sex Offenders” tab. Simply click on this tab, and from here anyone will be able to see who the registered sex offenders are and where they are living. The mapping and address feature found on the website pinpoints exactly where an offender lives.

If anyone observes any suspicious activity on Halloween, such as acts of vandalism, they are encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 669-4181 or 911 in the case of a true emergency.