As the traditional Halloween day quickly approaches on Monday, October 31st, many citizens have questions regarding Halloween activities this year. In the Douglas city limits, trick-or-treating should take place between the hours of 6:00pm – 9:00pm on Monday, October 31, 2022. Homeowners participating in candy distribution are urged to turn porch lights on.
In order to minimize traffic in the Golf Club neighborhood, traffic will flow one-way on October 31, during trick or treating hours. Homeowners should make arrangements to travel to their homes based on traffic flow in the neighborhood from 6pm-9pm and follow directions of the police officers directing traffic. The Douglas Police Department asks that parents do not allow their kids to be out past 9:00pm so that residents in participating neighborhoods will not be disturbed past nine o’clock. As a precaution, prior to trick or treating, parents may wish to go to the GBI sex offender website, http://state.sor.gbi.ga.gov/Sort_Public/OffenderSearchResults.aspx to be familiar with the residences of registered sex offenders.
If distributing candy, homeowners should wear gloves and masks. It is also recommended that children not be allowed to touch containers filled with candy. Homeowners should turn off their porch lights at 9pm, as a way to discourage late trick-or-treating. Drivers are urged not to impede the flow of traffic on neighborhood streets. Halloween participants are asked to show courtesy and respect to neighborhoods. Also, motorists are advised not to impede traffic flow by parking vehicles on public streets and sidewalks. The Police Department also asks drivers not to park on the grass and in the yards of homeowners. Motorists may be cited for violations.
“Halloween should be a great adventure and a memorable time for children and their parents” says Douglas Police Chief Shane Edmisten. “To ensure the safety of our children, parents or an older responsible child should accompany the trick-or-treaters. Children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by a supervising adult.”
Additional safety tips for parents and trick-or-treaters include:
- Making sure their child has a flashlight, glow stick, or reflective tape on their costumes to be more visible to motorists.
- Children should not run out from parked cars or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.
- Kids should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.
- Warn children not to eat any treats until an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering.
- Carefully examine any toys or novelty items received by trick-or-treaters who are under three years of age.
- Do not allow young children to have any items that have small components, could separate and that are small enough to present a choking hazard.
- Watch candy intake because too much candy can cause stomach aches and indigestion.
Safety tips for people expecting trick-or-treaters should include the removal of anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.
Any person who has COVID-19 or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, should not participate with in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters. For alternative ways to celebrate Halloween and other holidays safely this year, visit the CDC website, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html.
