HULL — Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to share guidance and safety tips as Halloween approaches to help Hull residents and families celebrate safely this season. 

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

Costume Safety

Families are encouraged to be mindful of safety when choosing costumes. All props should be soft, and no part of the costume should impair vision or movement. Enjoy a safe and happy Halloween by following below guidelines from the FDA, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Wear costumes that say “flame resistant” on the label. If you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
• Costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
• Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
• Wear bright, reflective costumes, add strips of reflective tape, or hold a flashlight while walking so you’ll be more visible. 
• Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks that can obscure your vision. Make sure the costumes aren’t so long that you’re in danger of tripping.
• Test the makeup you plan to use in advance. Put a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy.
• Vibrantly colored makeup is popular at Halloween. Check the FDA’s list of color additives to see if the colors are FDA-approved. If they aren’t approved for their intended use, don’t use them. This is especially important for colored makeup around the eyes.
• Remove any makeup before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
• Don’t wear decorative (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 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.
• Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
• Walk on sidewalks wherever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe and to prevent accidents or injury. Always look both ways before crossing the street, and use established crosswalks wherever possible. Walk, don’t run, across the street. 
• Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down and keep their heads up to stay alert and avoid distracted walking.

Driving Safety

Each year, Halloween is traditionally celebrated with trick-or-treating and parties — and candy and drinks. Unfortunately, the night can include impaired drivers on the streets. Here are some tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to keep Halloween safe. 

• Be alert for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Slow down and continue to scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.
• On Halloween there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in places where they are not expected. Slower speeds save lives.
• Stay alert for pedestrians who may come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop and wait for them to pass.
• Don’t look at your phone when you’re driving. Your attention needs to always be on the road.
• If you see a potentially impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement.

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

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