TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Police Department is offering some safety tips for Halloween.

For residents planning to go door-to-door trick-or-treating, police would like families to keep the following information in mind:

• Encourage children to trick-or-treat with a group, and before dark. After dark, an adult chaperone should carry a flashlight and choose well-lighted streets.
• Wear costumes that are short, snug and flame retardant; wear light colors or reflective tape; avoid masks that can obstruct vision.
• Remind children not to eat treats before parents have inspected them; never eat candy that has been opened.
• Tell trick-or-treaters not to take shortcuts through backyards, alleys or playing fields.
• Don’t allow children to approach homes that are dark.
• Drive slowly all evening – you never know when a trick-or-treater may dart into the street.
• If you’re handing out candy, turn on outside lights and remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard.
• Teach children they should NEVER go inside a stranger’s home or car.

In addition, residents are reminded there are some homes where the homeowner is prohibited from handing out candy to children on Halloween. About 10 percent of the registered sex offenders link in Baltimore County, have what is called a “no contact order” as part of their probation. This, in effect, prohibits them from handing out candy to children on Halloween.

Officers in marked vehicles and undercover officers in unmarked vehicles will be monitoring the homes of registered sex offenders who have been identified by the Division of Parole and Probation as having no-contact restrictions with children, in conjunction with Parole and Probation agents.

Anyone who suspects that someone who has a no contact order is offering candy to children is asked to contact the Sex Offender Registration Team at 410-853-3660. Any other suspicious activity can be reported to 911 or Baltimore County’s non-emergency line at 410-887-2222.

Additional information is available in the video below.

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