Evesham Police recommend hours for trick-or-treating for Halloween 2018

The department recommends trick-or-treating between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 31, to ensure a safe, healthy and fun holiday for all.

The Evesham Township Police Department recommends that families trick-or-treat between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m. this Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31, to ensure a safe, healthy and fun holiday for all.

According to police, these are the same hours that have been recommended in past years. An 8 p.m. curfew is suggested for children under 18 not accompanied by an adult on Halloween, and ETPF officers in marked and unmarked cars will be patrolling all local streets.

Police have also released the following Halloween tips to help keep children and families safe:

• Trick-or-treat during designated hours and only go to those homes where families know the resident, or homes that have a porch light on to welcome trick-or-treaters.
• Carry a flashlight to light the way on streets and sidewalks. Flashlights or glow sticks will also help illuminate children for motor vehicles.
• Dress children in, or bring along, some type of reflective material to wear when trick-or-treating at dusk or later. A reflective jacket works well, as do reflecting trick-or-treat bags. Keep in mind that sunset will be around 6:45 p.m. on Halloween.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Put electronic devices such as cell phones away, keep heads up and walk, don’t run.
• Children should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If children are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar, well-lit areas and trick-or-treat in groups.
• Make sure that costumes do not cause a safety hazard such as being too long or including masks that affect the ability to see clearly. Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks. Any props should be clearly marked as toys, to minimize anyone confusing them with any type of an actual weapon.
• Homeowners should make sure that pets are secured so they do not become frightened by costumed children or activity that is out of the ordinary.
• Children should be instructed to never enter the home of someone they do not know and to remain on the porch to receive their treats.
• Any observed suspicious activity or tainted candy should be reported to police immediately.
• Children should be instructed not to eat candy until it has been inspected by an adult.
• Drive slowly, anticipate pedestrian traffic and turn headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential areas. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
• Take extra time to look for children at intersections, on medians and on curbs, and behind landscaping. ETPD will have additional officers patrolling neighborhoods throughout the township to help ensure everyone’s safety on Halloween.