We've gotten a couple questions to the Contact Us form here on sodadearborn.com from new residents in the area asking if there will be trick-or-treating in the neighborhood or if the Track-or-Treat event was the only thing. This year's Track-or-Treat event was a huge success and possibly the largest event to ever have been done at Penn-Vassar Park with over 500 people. But Track-or-Treat is just and extra fun event to get the neighborhood and families out together.
Trick-or-Treating is definitely happening on Halloween!
Smartasset.com recently ranked the city of Dearborn 8th in the entire nation for the Best Places To Trick-Or-Treat. While some of that ranking was due to Halloween Nights at Greenfield Village, it should not be overlooked that it's also due to the many houses that give out candy, the short distances kids have to travel, and community safety.
Halloween is one of my personal favorites, and as my birthday is only 4 days before Halloween it has always felt like an extended birthday party. Although I may not dress up and go out ticking for treats anymore, I still enjoy taking my own kids around on the 31st and decorating our home for the fun frightful night. More and more residents in the neighborhood are decorating their houses for Halloween, and S.O.D.A. will be announcing awards next week at our November 5th meeting for the best Halloween decorations.
A couple things to note about Halloween Trick-or-Treaters:
- Trick-or-Treaking Time: 5:30pm - 8:00pm or until your candy runs out
- Turn ON your porch light to let the kids know you have candy
- Turn OFF your porch light when you'tr done, otherwise you'll have knocking well past 8:00pm
- Later in the evening (or even earlier) you may see a car load of kids come around. It's OK. Not every neighborhood does Trick-or-Treating, and not every neighborhood is a place where kids can feel safe. Be happy that these families are out enjoying Halloween together, and take pride in the fact that our neighborhood is a safe place for them to enjoy it.
- The group of almost adult, half costumed, pillow case carrying teens; they know their childhood is almost over, don't make them feel worse for it. Give them a piece of candy with a smile. They will all to soon be an adult, let them have some fun while they still can.
Also the Dearborn Police have put together a list of Halloween Safety Tips:
- Parents should help their children pick out a costume that will be safe. The costumes should be fire resistant, masks should have eyeholes large enough to allow for good peripheral vision and the costume should allow free movement.
- If your child will be carrying a prop such as a pitchfork or sword make sure the tips are flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Of course, never carry real weapons of any kind.
- If you set jack-o-lanterns on your porch with candles in them, make sure that they are far enough out of the way so that children’s costumes will not accidentally be set on fire. Better yet, use battery operated pumpkin lights.
- Make sure you know the route your children will be taking for trick or treating, if you are not going with them.
- The best bet is to make sure that an adult is going with the children during trick or treating. If you cannot go with your child see if another parent or a teenage sibling can.
- Children should stay together as a group if going trick or treating without an adult.
- Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars. Tell your children to only cross streets at cross walks.
- Instruct your children never to go into the home of a stranger or get into their car.
- Make sure you set a time for your children to be home and stress the importance for them to be home at that time. Finally, instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.
From myself and the rest of the S.O.D.A. board,
have a safe and fun time Trick-or-Treating!
Happy Halloween!!
Timothy S. Harrison
S.O.D.A. Vice President
have a safe and fun time Trick-or-Treating!
Happy Halloween!!
Timothy S. Harrison
S.O.D.A. Vice President
