Akwesasne Mohawk Territory Police Offer Halloween Safety Tips

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department released the following Halloween safety information a couple years ago. We thought it useful enough to reprint. Edited for space.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department remind all community residents and land owners to please ensure that their properties are tidy and ditches are clean of debris. Please ensure that your buildings are secured, portable items are stored away, outside and motion detector lights are on and your vehicles are locked.

TIPS:

Many people enjoy transforming their homes into eerie scenes. Be sure to keep the path leading up to your door free of obstacles for the little ones, especially those with masks who might have trouble seeing in dim light.

Keep pets indoors on Halloween to protect them from hazards and preventing them from being aggressive to visitors.

Before you light those candles in your pumpkin, consider using inexpensive safety glow sticks.

Costumes

• Wear a light-coloured or bright costume, reflective tape or arm bands to heighten visibility.

• Wear a costume that is properly fitted to reduce the chance of tripping.

• Make sure your vision is not restricted. Consider completing your costume with make-up rather than masks. Masks may require that the eye-holes be cut larger for the sake of good peripheral vision.

• Shoes should fit properly even if they do not go well with a costume.

• If a child’s costume requires the use of props, make sure that sharp tips are cut or filed round.

• Glow sticks are also an excellent method to increase a child’s visibility. You might want to consider creating a fun necklace to ensure they will want to wear it as part of their costumes.

• Accessorize with a flashlight!

Before the children hit the streets, it is important that parents be aware of the route that their children plan to follow. If you are unable to take them out yourself, consider asking another parent, an older sibling or babysitter to do the honour for you. Ensuring your child is wearing a watch also allows you to establish an agreed upon curfew. Teach your children to recognize the places along his/her route where they can obtain help such as police, fire or any other well indicated public place.

Tampering of treats is rare; however remind children that they must have their candy inspected by their parents or guardian prior to eating them.

Together we are building a stronger Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. Together we will meet the missions of our community, councils and policing agencies.