Youngsters should use caution on Halloween

SIKESTON -- It is a night many children love. They put on the costumes of their favorite superheroes and take to the streets in search of the "good candy." However, one incident can spoil the entire holiday so parents are urged to think about safety before taking their children trick-or-treating Friday night.

One of the most pressing issue in regards to safety is costumes.

"Parents should make sure their kids can be seen," said Sikeston Department of Public Safety Captain Joe Sebourn, who added parents should closely monitor their children's costumes.

Outfits should be clearly visible at night and dark clothing marked with reflective tape. If a costume includes a cape it should be short enough where the cape doesn't cause a child to trip and fall. Costume materials should be made of inflammable material and masks, which can block a child's vision, should be replaced with face paint.

Trick-or-treaters should carry a flashlight and be accompanied by a parent or older sibling. Everyone who is walking the streets should remember to cross streets at corners and to watch for car traffic.

Those giving out candy can also help little ghosts and goblin stay safe by keeping their porch lights on and keeping jack-o-lanterns displayed a safe distance from where trick-or-treaters will gather.

Once the trick-or-treaters are home, the supervision doesn't end.

"Parents should check all of the candy and goodies," Sebourn said. "If the candy doesn't look right, they should have it checked out."

For those who want to trick-or-treat without going door-to-door the Sikeston Factory Outlet Stores will conduct its annual community Halloween trick-or-treat event from 4-7 p.m. on Halloween and Good Humor-Breyers on County Line Road will give ice cream treats to individuals who come in their costumes from 5-8 p.m.

With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, the threat of vandalism could be a little greater. While some trees always seem to be decorated with toilet paper by pranksters, the reports of Halloween-related vandalism typically isn't very high in Sikeston and DPS officers hope to keep it that way.

"We will have extra officers out and extra patrols," Sebourn said. "I hope we don't have any problems but we will be out in force and any misbehaving will be dealt with accordingly."

All-in-all Sebourn said he expects a rather quiet Halloween. "People should just use common sense," Sebourn said. "Go out and have fun, but be safe."