Halloween is less than two weeks away, and children are getting their costumes together in preparation for trick-or-treat.
Newton County offers plenty of prime trick-or-treat locations, including the downtown Square, where Main Street Covington partners with members of the Covington/Newton County Public Safety community for Scare on the Square on Oct. 31, featuring hay rides, games and other surprises between 5:30-7:30 p.m.
If you are part of a group that would like to participate or if you just want more information about “Scare on the Square,” call the Covington Police Department at 770-786-7605 or follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Here are some safety recommendations by the Covington Police Department:
Walk Safely
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
• Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
• Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to
the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
• Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Trick or Treat With an Adult
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe
• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
• Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
• When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
