It’s Trick-or-Treat time! Most communities in Ross County will be holding their Trick-or-Treat on Thursday, October 27th. Remember when your our enjoying the Halloween fun to also practice safety. The CDC recommends following the tips below:

S –  Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
A – Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
F – Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
E – Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them.  Limit the amount of treats you eat.

H – Hold a flashlight while trick or treating to help you see and others see you.
A – Always test make-up in a small area first.
L – Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks.
L – Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
O – Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible or the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
W – Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
E – Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
E – Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
N – Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

During trick or treat, those who are driving should be more alert and use extra caution when driving through residential neighborhoods. By slowing down and watching not only crosswalks but between parked cars is very important. Pay close attention when pulling into driveways and alleys. Make sure to use your headlights during the trick or treat times, even if there appears to be enough daylight.

Though we all want to believe that no one would tamper with candy and put children in harm’s way, it is advised to inspect all the candy your children receive. To inspect their candy, you will need to be in a room with bright lights and look for anything that doesn’t seem right. This can include lumps or bulges, punctures or pinholes in wrappers, ripped wrappers, loose wrappers, discolored or stained wrappers, foreign objects poking out, candy out of the original packaging, and treats that are in unsealed boxes.

We hope you have a safe and fun Trick-or-Treat night! The fun doesn’t end there for Ross County though. The Annual Downtown Chillicothe Halloween Parade hosted by the Chillicothe Jaycees and Evening Lions is on Saturday, October 29th at 7:00 p.m.