Uptown is a well-known destination for fun – with a special emphasis on “fright” during the Halloween season! Trick-or-treating is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday night, and the community is excited to come alive with costumes and candy during this special time. In planning for the festivities, The Cincinnati Police Department gathered some tips and tricks for teaching your ghosts and goblins to have a safe and enjoyable night.

• Make sure costumes are flame retardant so children are not in danger near burning jack-o-lanterns or candles.
• Keep costumes short so children can walk without tripping or falling.
• Try makeup instead of a mask. Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, which is a dangerous thing when crossing streets and going up and down steps.
• Make sure children wear light-colored clothing, or put reflective tape on their costumes.
• Trick-or-treaters should always be in a group. There is safety in numbers. Parents should accompany young children.
• Make sure older children trick-or-treat with friends. Together, map out a safe route so you will know where they are going. Tell them to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on. Remind them not to enter any houses or cars.
• Try to do trick-or-treating while it is still light. After dark, make sure someone in the group has a flashlight, and travel well-lighted streets.
• Remind children to obey all traffic rules: walk on sidewalks, not in the street. Look in all directions before crossing the street. Cross only at street corners, never from between parked cars, and never diagonally across an intersection. Walk – never run – across streets. Keep a safe distance from moving cars.
• Remind children not to eat any treats until they get home and all items have been checked for sealed wrappers and safety. Eating a good meal or substantial snack before trick-or-treating will help them follow this guideline.