GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As Halloween gets closer, police are reminding parents to keep safety at the forefront while trick-or-treating.
In Grand Rapids, the recommended hours for trick-or-treating are between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sgt. Daryl Howard with the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) is encouraging parents to get involved and chaperone their trick-or-treaters on Halloween.
Grand Rapids officials shared these safety tips to keep in mind before heading out on Halloween:
- Only visit homes with a lit front porch light.
- Trick-or-treat with a parent or adult chaperone; go in groups if possible.
- Wear light-colored or reflective clothing; make sure masks don’t obscure vision, including peripheral vision.
- Carry a flashlight.
- Consider going house to house on the same side of the street and then double back on the other side. This will reduce the need to cross the street. Use crosswalks/cross only at corners.
- Walk on sidewalks. If you must walk in the street, walk on the left side facing traffic.
- Do not go into any stranger’s home or car even if you are offered candy.
- Don’t let kids eat any candy or other food until it has been checked by an adult.
- Drivers should be especially aware and observant when driving through residential neighborhoods.
While some parents may choose to let their children walk from house-to-house and supervise from their car—especially on cold Halloween nights—Howard said parents should walk with their kids.
"Let's be good examples. Bundle up, be tougher. We're Michiganders. We're Grand Rapidians. Get out there, walk with them," Howard said. "Show a good example. It's a good relationship, bonding experience between your family. You meet your neighbors and your community."
He emphasized that even older children should have a chaperone to make sure they're being safe.
"It's an exciting time. People are out there. It's good to just have a level head, some older wisdom, to be there to just help guide and be a good example. It's good family time," he said.