The Wayland Police Department recommends that all residents follow the Halloween Safety Tips issued by the Children’s Safety Zone. Following these guidelines will make this Halloween a safe and enjoyable one:
Trick-or-Treaters
- Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
- Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
- (If no sidewalk) walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
- Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
- Approach only houses that are lit.
- Stay away from and don’t pet animals you don’t know.
Parents:
- Make sure your child eats dinner before setting out.
- Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.
- If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.
- If you buy a costume, look for one made of flame-retardant material.
- Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.
- You should know where they’re going.
- Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.
- Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspect. Contact police if candy appears to have been tampered with.
Homeowners:
- Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flowerpots that can trip the young ones.
- Pets get frightened on Halloween. Put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a trick-or-treater.
- Battery powered jack o’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.
- If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
- Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.
Wayland Police will increase patrol coverage to provide better protection for Halloween. Any resident may pick up a free glow bracelet and bright orange trick or treat bag, for their children’s safety, at the Wayland Public Safety Building Dispatch Center, while supplies last.