WITH Halloween just a few days away, Wiltshire Police and the Dorset And Wiltshire Fire Service are encouraging people to stay safe when trick or treating.

During the half term holiday leading up to Halloween Community policing teams have been carrying out patrols to help prevent anti-social behaviour. The police force has issued some safety tips for younger children and families when taking part in the trick or treat tradition.

Chris Chammings, the central Wiltshire Superintendent, said: “Central Wiltshire policing teams are planning a proportionate policing operation that will focus on reducing anti-social behaviour this Halloween.

“By deploying high-visibility patrols in key areas we can provide reassurance to the families taking part in the celebrations, while also reducing the impact on those who do not wish to be part of the events.”

The tips issued by Wiltshire Police are:

  • Children should be accompanied by an adult. when trick or treating
  • Only go to the houses of people you know and who are happy for you to call
  • Stay in well-lit areas
  • Watch out for traffic
  • Carry a torch if wearing a mask to make sure you can see and are aware of your surroundings.

Supt Phil Staynings, head of crime prevention for Wiltshire Police, said: “We want everyone to enjoy Halloween in a safe and responsible way that does not cause any problems in our communities.

“We would urge any trick or treaters, in particular the children and young people, to take care when out and about this Halloween and to consider carefully which doors they knock on.

"Please bear in mind knocking on the doors of elderly or vulnerable residents or people living on their own can be distressing or frightening for the occupants.”

Police safety tips for people who feel nervous or unsafe include:

  • Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there
  • Use your spy-hole, look out of a window and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door
  • Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them
  • If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your co-ordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween.
  • If you are a co-ordinator, please identify people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

Police No Trick Or Treat posters are available for people to display from local policing teams or www.wiltshire.police.uk.

Firefighters are also warning people to take care with naked flames at Halloween, with an especial warning to parents to make sure their children’s Halloween outfits are safe.

They say that every year on October 31, children and adults are injured in accidents where candles or fireworks have set fire to costumes and hair. Plastic capes and bin liners, often used as costumes, are also fire risks.

The fire service’s top safety tips are:

  • If you’re making homemade lanterns, think carefully about the fire risks. It is far safer to use flickering LED candles than real candles in pumpkins and as part of displays.
  • Lanterns should never be made from plastic bottles or other plastic containers.
  • Make sure that fancy dress costumes and masks are labelled as flame-resistant when you buy them.
  • Don’t use flammable materials to make home-made costumes. Be especially careful about using bin liners as capes.
  • Keep children away from naked flames and don’t let them carry lit candles or lanterns with candles in them.
  • If you use candles, make sure they are securely placed in a correct holder and in a place where they are not likely to be knocked over. Keep them away from curtains, cushions and draughts.
  • Make sure candles are extinguished when you go to bed.
  • If using decorative lights in your home, ensure that electricity sockets are not overloaded and that they’re switched off at the socket at night.