Key West The Newspaper

Halloween is a special time for children, but children don’t always know what is and is not safe.

“As Halloween approaches, let’s enjoy the day and make it the best Halloween possible for the kids in our community,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “If you’re driving, be patient! Drive slowly and take more care than usual while watching for children. Popular trick-or-treating hours are generally from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., so please be especially alert during those times. Be safe and Happy Halloween, everyone!”

If your children are going trick or treating on Halloween, there are several tips to follow for their safety.

Make sure kids wear light colored costumes with plenty of reflective tape so they are visible to cars and trucks. Take a flashlight along for added visibility.
Look left, right and left again when crossing the street.
Everyone should put electronic devices away so there are no distractions.
If possible, have kids go trick or treating while it is still light outside.
Kids should be accompanied by an adult, or an older brother or sister.
Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult.
Only visit well-lit houses.
Don’t stop at dark houses.
Never accept rides from strangers.
Kids should not sample candy until it has been checked by an adult for possible tampering.
Notify a deputy if suspicious or harmful items are found in your child’s collection of treats.
Kids should stay away from homes with dogs loose in the yard.
Having a Halloween party is a good alternative to the tradition of trick or treating. It gives kids an opportunity to have a good time in a supervised and safe atmosphere.

Tips for people driving on Halloween:Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may dart in front of cars when crossing the street.
Take extra time and look carefully for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully.
Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours

And a few tips for pet owners:Don’t leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween. There are plenty of pranksters who will go out of their way to tease pets and you don’t want your dog to bite a trick-or-treater who might venture too close.

Trick-or-treat candy is not for pets: Chocolate is poisonous to many animals, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed by your pet.
Be careful your cat or dog doesn’t dart out through the open door when you open it for trick or treaters.

Holiday Animal Farm Schedule
Due to the upcoming holidays, the Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm will be open only on Sunday, Nov. 11 and closed on Thanksgiving weekend.

Our annual Christmas on the Farm event is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 9.

We will resume our regular scheduled of 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of every month on Sunday, Jan. 13.

Hope to see soon!