Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley wants everyone to have an exciting and safe Halloween holiday and has issued a set of Halloween safety tips to help reduce crime and accidents during Halloween.

• • Choose costumes that are bright and contain reflective material.
  • Add a reflective stripe if necessary to make your child more visible to drivers.
  • Carry a glow stick or glow necklace to be more visible.
  • Avoid costumes that cover a child’s head and may prevent them from seeing a vehicle or other hazard.
  • Remember toy guns look real. Choose costumes that do not contain guns or weapons.

The sheriff also suggests that parents should:

• • Accompany young children when they go trick-or-treating.
  • Carry a flashlight, cell phone and first aid kit.
  • Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 if they encounter an emergency.
  • Plan a route with your children and agree on a time to “check-in” with family.
  • Only let children trick-or-treat in neighborhoods parents are familiar with and only to houses with front porch lights on.
  • Caution children to never enter a person’s home while trick-or-treating.
  • See that trick-or-treaters cross streets at intersections only.
  • Have trick-or-treaters eat dinner before going out, or take a snack from home. Do not allow your children to eat any candy unless, checked by an adult first. Any unwrapped items should be discarded.
  • Before you allow your child to knock on any door, become better informed. Check the Ascension Parish Sex Offender Registry website at https://ascensionsheriff.com/LASexOffendersSearch.aspx
    Learn who lives in the houses you plan to visit. Be cautious rather than sorry!
  • Notify your neighborhood watch groups of the trick-or-treating” times, and have them walk the neighborhoods to look out for children.
  • “Halloween also poses special challenges for people who will be driving while trick-or-treaters are out,” Sheriff Wiley said.

Some suggestions:

• • Drive slowly (with lights on) and defensively all evening.
  • No one should drive a vehicle while wearing a Halloween mask of any type.
  • Be cautious, because youngsters may dart out in front of you at anytime.
  • Obey all traffic signals, both as a driver and a pedestrian.
  • Driving under the influence laws will be strictly enforced, so make sure you have a designated driver.
  • Persons under the age of 21 should not drink any alcoholic beverage.