'Have fun, be safe' DWFRS and Wiltshire Police tell trick or treaters
They want us to remember the evening for the right reasons
Young people in Wiltshire being urged to be safe whilst celebrating Halloween by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) and Wiltshire Police.
They’re also reminding parents and cares of their role in keeping children safe, being encouraged to act responsibly when out trick or treating.
Greg Izon, Group Manager at DWFRS advises us to consider the worst case scenario, from both a homeowners and trick or treaters perspective.
He told Greatest Hits Radio parents need to ‘assess the risk’ as they approach a home, while homeowners can avoid having naked flames, through the use of candles, in and around their homes by swapping them for battery powered candles.
“I can't control who comes to my front door. I can't control that situation. But I can put safety measures in place and it is considering the worst case scenario, and then just removing those risks and hazards.
“When my children, go to a door, it's my responsibility ultimately to just make sure they're safe.”
Greg advises that young children are kept at least 12 inches away from any flame, with an adult in between.
“We want people to have fun, but we want people to be safe as well. And remember that fun evening for the right reasons. And there's no lasting consequences,” he said.
Top tips from Wiltshire Police
Wiltshire Police have issued six tips on staying safe whilst trick or treating.
• Always be accompanied by a trusted adult when you are trick or treating;
• You should only go to houses of people that you know and who are happy for you to call;
• Stay safe, keep to places that you know and are well lit. Do not take short cuts through gardens, alleyways or parks;
• Watch out for traffic;
• If you're wearing a mask, make sure that you can see where you are going and are aware of your surroundings;
• Carry a torch and a fully charged mobile phone (if you have one).
They’ve also said that there will be high-visibility patrols carried out by the Community Policing Teams during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period to help prevent anti-social behaviour.
Jenn Holton, the Neighbourhood Harm Reduction Unit lead, said: "Trick or treaters should take care and think carefully about which doors they knock on, particularly if there are elderly people or people living on their own in their area.
“The most important message is that we want people to enjoy Halloween and, in particular the children and young people, by keeping themselves safe and making sure they do not cause any problems in their communities.”
If at any point you do feel nervous or unsafe:
• Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spyhole, look out of a window and use your door chain (if you have one available) if you do decide to open your door;
• Have a contact number of a close relative, friend or good neighbour by your home telephone, or stored in your mobile phone, just in case you need to get in touch with them;
• If you are part of a local Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you could be on your own at Halloween. If you are a coordinator, please identify people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.
The Force have also created ‘No trick or treat’ posters should a household not want trick or treaters at their door this Halloween.
They can be downloaded here.