Sulphur children and families can begin making plans for Halloween, as the Sulphur City Council has officially designated Saturday, Oct. 31, as the community’s trick-or-treat night.
The council made the designation Monday, continuing the annual Halloween tradition that brings costumed youngsters and families into neighborhoods throughout the city in search of treats and holiday fun.
Trick-or-treating is traditionally conducted from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., giving children an opportunity to visit participating homes during the early evening hours.
As Halloween approaches, parents and children are encouraged to make safety a priority while enjoying the festivities. With youngsters walking through neighborhoods after dark, motorists should slow down, watch carefully for children crossing streets and driveways, and remain especially alert in residential areas.
Parents are encouraged to accompany younger children and ensure older children trick-ortreat in groups. Families should plan a route in familiar neighborhoods, establish a return time, and make sure children know how to contact a parent or trusted adult if they become separated.
Children should use sidewalks whenever possible, cross streets at corners or designated crosswalks, and look both ways before crossing. Carrying flashlights or glow sticks and wearing reflective clothing can help children remain visible to drivers. Costumes should fit properly to prevent trips and falls, and masks should not obstruct vision. Face paint can be a safer alternative to masks that make it difficult to see.
Parents should also inspect Halloween candy and other treats before allowing children to eat them. Homemade or unwrapped items should be accepted only from people the family knows and trusts, and any suspicious or damaged packaging should be discarded.
Homeowners welcoming trick-or-treaters can help by keeping walkways and porches well-lit, clearing steps and paths of obstacles, and keeping pets secured.
With a little planning and attention to safety, Sulphur families can enjoy a fun and memorable Halloween while helping keep the community’s youngest trickor-treaters safe.
