How to stay safe on Halloween night

EVERETT — The costumes are ready. The candy bowls are full. It’s Halloween and police want trick-or-treaters of all ages to enjoy the annual ritual of knocking on neighbors’ doors asking for a candy treat.

“We want to make sure there are expectations for the kids that they’re out enjoying themselves but at the same time they’re keeping safe,” Everett police public safety officer Aaron Snell said.

We asked Snell, who is dressing as a vampire to take his 3-year-old son trick-or-treating tonight, the best ways to stay safe.

Question: What’s the most important thing to remember?

Snell: We just try to make sure the kids are safe in these types of activities. We prefer kids not eat the candy when they’re out, but wait until an adult can look the candy over at home. Don’t go into other people’s homes, and use main streets, don’t cut through alleys.

Question: Is it OK for kids to go trick-or-treating on their own?

Snell: Older kids can go out on their own, but being in a group is very important. We recommend adults go with the kids.

Question: Are some costumes better than others?

Snell: It’s important that kids are able to be seen. No matter what costume they’re wearing, they should carry Halloween flashlights or glow sticks. Masks are OK, but it’s hard to see out of them sometimes. And replica toy guns are always a bad thing, they can be mistaken for real guns. We never encourage kids to play with guns.

Question: Where’s the best place to go trick-or-treating?

Snell: Visiting with people in your neighborhood is the best thing to do. People recognize each other and it’s a good way to build community. If that’s not possible, several businesses and community organizations offer central trick-or-treating locations that are good alternatives.

Question: And what should people do if they see something that’s not quite right?

Snell: If there’s suspicious activity, call 911.

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.