By CHAD HILL
Public Information Officer, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department

WARSAW — With the approach of Halloween, Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine wishes to remind citizens about some of the safety concerns that parents should be aware of. Below are listed some precautions parents can take:

• Younger children should always go trick-or-treating with an adult.
• Discard all unwrapped or improperly wrapped candy.
• Wear fire-safe, easy-to-see-in-the-dark costumes.
• Watch for traffic and look both ways before crossing the street.
• Use a flashlight, rather than a candle, inside a jack-o-lantern.
• Never play near a jack-o-lantern.
• Keep away from candles, open fires and campfires with costumes.
• Don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.
• Don’t go inside houses without a parent.
• Only visit homes that have the porch light or Halloween lights on.
• Don’t accept treats from people in vehicles and do not get into any one’s car.
• Carry a flashlight or glow sticks to light your way in the dark.
• Stay on sidewalks; don’t cut across yards or driveways.
• Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.
• And a final note for parents: Eat dinner before setting out for the night.

Following these suggestions can allow for a more pleasurable night of trick-or-treating and possibly save your child from injury or worse.