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Everyone wants to have a safe Halloween, here is how you can make sure you have a happy one. The Grand Junction Fire Department, The Grand Junction Police Department , Mesa County School District 51 and the Mesa County Sheriff's Department have come together to issue the following tips to keep you and your young ones safe this Halloween.

Costume Selection
Costumes should be fire safe; store-bought costumes should have a flame resistant or flame-retardant label.  Costumes should allow free movement but should not have parts that trail or drag and could catch fire.  Masks should provide clear vision from the front, sides and bottom.  Finally, all props such as fake knives, swords or guns should be made from cardboard or flexible materials to prevent accidental injury and avoid being mistaken for the real thing.  Take pictures of your trick-or-treaters so that they can be easily identified by emergency personnel if necessary.
 
Rules for the Street
An adult or teen should determine a route and accompany their trick-or-treaters.  If the trick-or-treaters are walking, they should carry a flashlight or glow stick, cross streets only at intersections and designated crosswalks and avoid major intersections if possible.  If an adult is driving trick-or-treaters from place to place, they should drive slower than the posted speed limit, be on the alert for children crossing the street, and activate hazard lights to alert other motorists that they are driving slowly and making frequent stops.  Finally, treats should not be eaten until an adult has checked them.
 
Back home and safe
Check the treats, looking for any sign of tampering with wrappers.  Pay special attention to homemade treats; don’t let children eat these unless you know and trust the source.  Discuss anything that troubled the children during their night out.
Report any suspicious or criminal incident.  (911 for emergencies or 242-6707 for non-emergencies.)
These simple tips will help keep everyone safe and make sure this Halloween is fun for everybody.
For more information about safeguarding trick-or-treaters download an informational brochure at  www.gjcity.org


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