SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — The Sioux City Police Department suggests the following safety tips for a safe and fun Halloween.

Trick-or-treating will be observed in Sioux City on TUESDAY, October 31, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to
8:00 p.m.

For parents and Trick-or-Treaters:

• Halloween costumes should be made of fire-retardant material, well-fitting so that walking is not interfered with, and eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.
• Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them.
• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• if your older children are going alone, plan, and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Before allowing your children to eat the treats, examine them to be sure they are safe to eat.
• Stay in a group and communicate where you will be going.
• Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
• Remain on a well-lit street and always use the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing the traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Only cross the street as a group at established crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will.
• Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

For Homeowners:

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, flowerpots, and pet leashes.
• Keep sidewalks, driveways, and yards free of trip hazards.
• Light walkways and paths kids may take.
• use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns.
• Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters.
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

For Motorists:

• Be alert for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Slow down and continue to scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.
• On Halloween, there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in places where they are not expected. Slower speeds save lives.
• Stay alert for pedestrians who may come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop, and wait for them to pass.
• Don’t look at your phone when you’re driving. Your attention needs to always be on the road.
• Pull over to the side of the road to let passengers out.