WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A simple talk can go a long way when keeping your child safe this Halloween.

Halloween night means thousands of people will be walking in and along streets, going door to door in their costumes. With all the fun going on it’s important that everyone has a safe celebration.

“This is true with anything, not just trick or treating but educate your kid,” said Lt. Greg Willett with the Wilmington Police Department.

The department recommends that kids under 12 should not be trick-or-treating without an adult.

Lt. Willett noted that parents taking the time to have a safety talk with kids can go a long way. Reminding kids of the simple things like looking both ways before crossing the street and walking against the flow of traffic can make a big difference.

“You don’t have to kill the atmosphere or the festivities but sometimes planting that little seed of safety can go a long way and can help people think at the right time ‘Oh yeah I need to be careful’,” said Lt. Willett.

Most Halloween costumes are not made with traffic safety in mind, but it doesn’t hurt to add something reflective to a costume. Wearing something reflective is especially important for young children.

Parents should also remind kids that if a piece of candy looks open or tampered with, the candy should be thrown away.

“Safety is safety, it only takes one time for something really bad to happen. It doesn’t hurt to go over candy, the candy your kid gets or you get,” said Lt. Willett.

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