Halloween is right around the corner and there are plenty of safety concerns associated with this holiday. Captain Alan Carr from the Mount Vernon Police Department appeared as a guest on the Southern Illinois Insider Program on WMIX. Captain Carr says although Halloween is a combination of stress and fun, it forces a lot of responsibility on parents and their children.

These tips include choosing a costume that’s flame-retardant in case you come in contact with a flame of any kind. Also, have reflective tape on the costume or whatever is being used to carry the candy. Captain Carr says a flashlight will work as well. You should make sure any trick-or-treaters are always accompanied by adults and in a familiar neighborhood. Everyone out and about should wear good shoes and if they have a mask on, it is tight on their face, to prevent falling and accidents. If you’re not out and about but welcoming trick-or-treaters, you can help prevent costume fires by keeping your jack-o-lanterns that have real flames inside them, off the front porch or from wherever you will be handing out candy. The final tips are to never accept anything that’s not commercially wrapped but always have and adult double-check the candy before eating any of it.

Captain Carr says if you or your child is wearing a costume with weapons as a prop on or with it, to be sure and make it obvious that weapon is not real.

You can listen to the Southern Illinois Insider every Sunday at 11am on WMIX AM940, 94.1/96.5FM.