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Hull Police Offer Safety Tips Ahead of Halloween

October 8, 2024 by Cody Shepard

HULL — Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to share tips and guidance to help kids and families stay safe as they celebrate Halloween this year.

Halloween, celebrated on Oct. 31, falls on a Thursday this year. The official trick-or-treating hours for Hull are 4-8 p.m.

“We hope that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween,” Chief Dunn said. “To accomplish this, it’s imperative that families and children adhere to safety guidelines. From wearing appropriate attire to checking your children’s candy to driving safely, everyone plays a role on this holiday.”

Costume Safety:

Below are some tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help you and your loved ones enjoy a safe and happy Halloween.

  • All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant. If you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
  • If children are allowed out after dark, they should fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags or be given flashlights or glow sticks.
  • When buying Halloween makeup, ensure it is nontoxic and always test it 24-48 hours in advance in a small area first. If a rash, redness, swelling or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy.
  • Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
  • Don’t decorate your face with things not intended for your skin.
  • Don’t wear decorative or colored contact lenses that appear to change how your eyes look due to the risk of eye injury unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and have been given instructions for how to use the lenses.

Trick-or-Treating Safety:

According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. To help prevent such a tragedy, parents and trick-or-treaters are urged to consider these tips before heading out:

  • A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable for you.
  • Agree on a specific time children should return home.
  • Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
  • Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
  • Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
  • Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep their heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.

Driving Safety:

The following tips, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, can help keep the roads safe on Halloween:

  • On Halloween, there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in places where they are not expected. Slower speeds save lives. Continue to scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.
  • Be alert for pedestrians who may emerge from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop and wait for them to pass.
  • Don’t drive distracted. Keep your eyes on the road, your mind on driving and your hands on the wheel.
  • Don’t drive impaired. Designate a sober driver or use a taxi or rideshare service. Contact law enforcement if you see a potentially impaired driver on the road.
  • Remember that social host liability laws may hold you responsible for parties where underage people drink, regardless of who furnishes the alcohol. You could be held legally accountable for your guests’ behavior after they leave.
  • Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.

The Hull Police Department wishes the community a safe and happy Halloween!

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Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: halloween, hull, Hull Police Department

Hull Police Share Tips for Celebrating Halloween, Trick-or-Treating Safely

October 13, 2021 by jgprstaff

Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to share guidance and safety tips as Halloween approaches to help residents and trick-or-treaters celebrate safely this season.

Halloween, which is celebrated yearly on Oct. 31, falls on a Sunday this year. The official trick-or-treating hours for Hull will be from 4-8 p.m.

The Hull Police Department encourages families to make the most of Halloween with their children but asks that parents and guardians remain mindful of their child’s safety when choosing costumes, and trick-or-treating.

Costume Safety

Picking a great costume is an exciting part of Halloween preparation, and Chief Dunn encourages parents/guardians to consider these tips while choosing a costume:

  •  All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant.
  • Any props should be soft, and no part of the costume should impair vision
    or movement.
  • Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
  • Wear sturdy shoes and temperature-appropriate clothing under costumes.
  • If children will be allowed out after dark, fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags, or give them a flashlight or glow sticks to ensure they are visible to drivers.
  • When buying Halloween makeup, make sure it is nontoxic and always test it on a small area of skin first.
  • Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. To help prevent such a tragedy, parents and trick-or-treaters are urged to consider these tips before heading out:

  • A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
  • If older children or teenagers are going out alone, plan and review a route that you feel is safe and acceptable for them to follow. 
  • Agree on a specific time older children and teenagers should return home.
  • Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
  • Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends. Carry a flashlight with you to ensure that you are visible when walking from house to house.
  • Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home. Avoid eating any homemade treats given to you by strangers.
  • Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street. Always look both ways before crossing the street.

Driving Safety

Chief Dunn would also like to offer safety tips for those who plan to be on the road during trick-or-treating hours:

  • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians, and curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
  • At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
  • Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.

Families participating in trick-or-treating should be mindful of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and take the appropriate precautions this year as they head out to enjoy the sweet and spooky fun that Halloween has to offer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges families to incorporate a cloth mask into their costumes, and those who are handing out candy to avoid using a shared bowl, and instead use small, individual bags for each trick-or-treater. 

Anyone who feels unwell, has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or who has tested positive for COVID-19 should stay at home and refrain from Halloween activities. 

Those who do not wish to participate in trick-or-treating are asked to shut off their outdoor lights as an indicator. Those who do not want to participate in trick-or-treating can instead consider these alternatives:

  • Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them, or at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.
  • Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with.
  • Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.

The Hull Police Department wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

 

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Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: costumes, halloween, halloween safety, Hull Police Department, Trick-or-Treating

Hull Police Department Shares Trick-or-Treat and Halloween Safety Tips

October 15, 2020 by jgprstaff

Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to share safety tips for trick-or-treating and alternative Halloween activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Trick-or-treating will take place in Hull on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Residents and communities should follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits.

“While Halloween may look and feel different this year due to the ongoing pandemic, we encourage those participating in trick-or-treating to continue to follow these safety precautions,” Chief Dunn said. “Residents should be mindful of choosing their children’s costumes. No costume should impair vision or movement, and masks should always be worn with costumes this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:

  • Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.
  • Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl
  • Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.
  • Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use.
  • Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.
    • A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering. To protect yourself and others, ensure you are wearing a protective face mask or covering instead of or in addition to a costume mask.
  • Observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
  • Refrain from touching your face.
  • Decorate your yard for others to enjoy from their car or while on a socially-distanced walk.
  • Hold virtual costume contests or pumpkin carving events.
  • Celebrate with members of your household with a Halloween-themed meal, Halloween movie night, or by preparing a Halloween scavenger hunt.
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.

Families should avoid the following:

  • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors, or any gatherings that exceed indoor or outdoor gathering limits;
  • Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming; and
  • Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.

Families participating in trick-or-treating should be mindful of the following additional safety tips:

  • Fasten reflective tape on costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
  • Hold a flashlight while walking to ensure that you are visible. Walk and don’t run from house to house. Look both ways before crossing the street.
  • All props should be soft, and no part of the costume should impair vision
    or movement.
  • Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before you eat them. Eat only factory-wrapped candy. Avoid eating homemade treats offered by strangers.

Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including handing out Halloween treats, if you feel unwell, you have tested positive for COVID-19, you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or you have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days. For more information on lower risk states, please see the state’s COVID-19 Travel Order webpage.

The Hull Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

 

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Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, covid 19, halloween, halloween safety, hull, Hull Police Department

Hull Police Department Offers Halloween Safety Tips

October 25, 2019 by

HULL – Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to offer residents some important safety tips as Halloween approaches to ensure everyone celebrates safely and responsibly.

Trick-or-treating hours in Hull are set for 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.

“Trick-or-treating is an exciting activity for young kids, but we would like to remind parents that young children should not trick-or-treat without parental supervision,” Chief Dunn said. “Parents should be on guard and make sure they keep a close watch on their children as they go from house to house. Kids may sprint ahead or forget to look both ways across the street.”

The Hull Police Department recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Dressing Up

  • Make sure that shoes fit well and costumes are short enough to prevent tripping. Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
  • If temperatures are cold during trick-or-treating time, be sure to have your kids wear long sleeves and warm clothing under their costume.
  • Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly so they don’t slide over eyes. Makeup should be tested ahead of time on a small patch of skin to make sure there will be no adverse reactions.
  • When shopping for costume pieces, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
  • If a sword, cane or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.

Pumpkins

  • Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers before parents do the cutting.
  • Consider lighting your pumpkin with a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to avoid a fire hazard. If you use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
  • Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects and not on a porch or in a path where visitors may pass close by. Lit pumpkins should never be left unattended.

Trick-or-Treating

  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you and send them with a cellphone. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
  • Pedestrian injuries are very common on Halloween. Remind kids to stay in a group. They should remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If there is not a sidewalk, walk at the far edge of the street facing traffic. Only cross the street as a group and in a crosswalk. Never cross between parked cars or out of driveways and never cut across yards or through alleys.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
  • Review with children how to call 911 if they have an emergency or become lost.
  • Always check your kids’ candy for signs of tampering and throw away candy that appears to have been opened, even partially.

Keeping Your Home Safe for Trick-or-Treaters

  • Remove any objects from your porch or walkways that could put children in danger of tripping, including garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations. Sweep wet leaves or snow from sidewalks and steps.
  • Check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
  • Restrain pets so they do not jump on or bite a trick-or-treater or run away.

As always, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to Hull Police by dialing 911.

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Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: halloween, hull, Hull Police Department, safety tips, trick-or-treat

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Hull Police Department
1 School Street
Hull, MA 02045

Non-emergency phone number: (781) 925-1212
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Department located at 1 School Street Hull, Massachusetts 02045.

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