Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to use caution and plan ahead for Halloween festivities. Decisions on whether to participate should be made by individuals, and parents/ guardians. Springfield Township's established hours for trick-or-treating is 6-8p.m. on October 31st.
Trick-or-treaters should incorporate masks into their costumes this year, and parents should consider limiting the number of homes children visit.
- Anyone who is sick should not participate in trick-or-treating
- Wear cloth mask under your costume/outfit
- If going door to door, consider limiting how many houses you visit
- Respect “lights off” rule; don’t go up to houses with lights off
- Use hand sanitizer
At Home:
- Remove tripping hazards to keep your home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters. Keep the porch and front yard clear of anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations.
- Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
- Sweep wet leaves from sidewalks and steps.
- Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.
- Although most animals are friendly, some can be dangerous; take precautions to prevent animal bites.
More than any other age group, children between the ages of 5 and 9 are the victims of animal bites―about 5% of all children this age are bitten by an animal every year. Children ages 9 to 14 are next in line as the most frequent victims of animal bites. As a parent, you have ultimate responsibility for your child's safety around any animal―including your own pets, neighborhood pets, and wild animals. Here are some suggestions to talk over with child.
On the Trick-or-Treat Trail:
- A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds. If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home and obtain flashlights with batteries for everyone.
- Only go to homes with a porch light on.
- Never enter a home or car for a treat. Notify law enforcement authorities immediately about of any suspicious or unlawful activity. Springfield Township's Police Department number is 729-1300.
- Review with children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they ever have an emergency or become lost.
- Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
- Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
- Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
- Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
- If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
- Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways.
- Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!
A Message to Parents of Teen Drivers:
- DRIVE SLOW and watch for children.
- Be especially careful between 4 and 8 p.m., when most severe vehicle/young pedestrian collisions happen.
- Drive slowly, and don’t pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off children.
- Park your mobile phone. Avoid distractions by waiting until you’ve stopped to call, text, or surf.
- Watch for children darting into the street. Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.
- Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or don’t know how to safely cross the street.
- Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals. And if you have to pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.