With Halloween fast approaching, Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton today urged parents to carefully supervise their children’s Trick or Treat activities.

“We want everyone to have a safe and fun Halloween,” Sheriff Paxton said. “The last thing we want is to have a child injured during this special night”.

Sheriff Paxton urged parents to follow the following tips to help insure a safe Halloween for their children:

• Make sure the child’s costume is made of a flame retardant material
• Give your child a cell phone to use in the event of an emergency.
• Know what other activities your child may be attending, such as a school or neighborhood party. Know who the chaperones are.
• Set a definite, agreed-upon time for your child to return home and stick to it.
• To improve visibility, add some reflective tape to your child’s costume and candy bag.
• Make sure the candy container your child is carrying is not too large to handle safely.
• Make sure your child stays with an organized group that is supervised at all times by a responsible adult.
• Have your child carry a good flashlight and make sure it is used.
• Encourage your child not to run across yards where he or she might trip over an obstacle. Instead, they should use driveways and sidewalks.
• Trick or Treat only in familiar neighborhoods at well-lit houses.