Trick or Treat safely with tips from the Rosemount Police Department

Talk about it

Halloween night is next Wednesday and police chief Eric Werner said the best way to get the most candy and fun out of the day is to trick-or-treat safely.

“Best way to stay safe and enjoy a fun day of the year is appropriate adult supervision, walk on the sidewalk, use crosswalks and be visible,” said Werner.

Community resource officer Beth Richtsmeier said visibility is key to keeping kids safe when they’ll be out on a dark night. She said each child should wear something lit, such as a flashlight. A glow bracelet, necklace or even light-up shoes can make kids more noticeable to motorists. She added that parents can add reflective tape to costumes to increase visibility as well.

To avoid injuries, Richtsmeier said children should wear good fitting costumes that allow them to listen and watch for traffic and that don’t pose a tripping hazard.

When out trick-or-treating, young children should have adult supervision on their routes. Children should never enter a home or a car for a treat. And parents should inspect all treats before they are eaten.

For older children, Richtsmeier said parents should plan and review a route for the kids who are ready to go it alone. She said parents and kids should agree on specific time when the children should return home and possibly have them carry a cell phone for easy contact.

Both Richtsmeier and Werner said residents should call 9-1-1 immediately if they see any suspicious activity.

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