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Halloween is quickly approaching and many in Hertford County and the local R-C area are already participating in fun fall activities.

Before you head out to participate in trick-or-treating, haunted houses or costume parties, keep in mind these tips from Hertford County Sheriff Dexter A. Hayes to help you and your family stay safe while you enjoy the festivities.

Most importantly, parents and guardians are encouraged to check their local sex offender registry at https://sexoffender.ncsbi.gov/ prior to planning a trick-or-treating route. At this webpage you can view a map of registered sex offenders’ addresses in your area and also set up an alert that will notify you if a registered sex offender moves to your area.

Once you have determined the best route for treat-seeking, Sheriff Hayes hopes you will follow these basic safety rules to keep your little ghosts and goblins safe:

When choosing a costume, pick one with bright colors or add reflective tape so children can be seen in low light.

Make sure masks or costumes do not obstruct vision.

Always make sure there is an adult present with younger goblins while trick-or-treating, and ensure older kids know to only visit familiar areas.

Avoid accepting homemade treats.

Inspect all candy at home before eating. Discard any that have been previously opened or tampered with.

Carry a flashlight with you to be able to see where you are walking at night.

Only approach homes that are brightly lit.

Never enter a stranger’s home.

Sheriff Hayes notes that Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians, so if you plan to be driving around your neighborhood amongst the spooky trick-or-treaters, make sure to remain extra vigilant to prevent unnecessary accidents.

When driving on Halloween, remember:

Make sure your headlights are on.

Take an extra look at crosswalks and intersections for groups of trick-or-treaters crossing the road.

Do not text and drive. It is against the law in North Carolina.

Slow down!

Do not wear costumes while driving that may obstruct your vision or make it difficult for you to react quickly behind the wheel.

If you plan to stay inside and hand out candy this Halloween, you can also help keep local trick-or-treaters safe by using these tips:

Keep your porch and driveway clear of any tripping hazards.

Make sure your porch is well lit for trick-or-treaters.

Only hand out unopened, pre-packaged candy and treats.

Use battery operated candles instead of real ones in your jack-o-lanterns and other décor.

Make sure all pets are restrained when you open your door.

Secure any outdoor decorations properly.

“Halloween is a great time for families and friends to celebrate the fall season, which means there may be a large number of people out and about enjoying the festivities,” said Sheriff Hayes “It is important to take extra precautions on busy holidays like this one to help you and everyone in our community can have a safe and enjoyable time. We can work together to make sure that the scariest part about this Halloween is the spooky decorations and ghoulish costumes.”