Birmingham Offers Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

It’s almost that time of year when pirates, Superman, Darth Vader, Batman and more will all take the streets at the same time with the same mission — to collect as much candy as possible.

Though some area cities restrict trick-or-treating hours, Birmingham does not regulate hours for the Halloween ritual. Cmdr. Terry Kiernan notes that many trick-or-treaters tend to start collecting candy between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.; he suggests they stop at dusk as a safety and courtesy measure.

Other safety tips from Kiernan

• Be sure to dress children in something reflective, so that as dusk nears, cars and other people on the streets will be able to see them.
• Inspect the goodies afterward to make sure everything looks safe. If a trick-or-treat snack looks suspicious, don’t hesitate to contact the Birmingham Police Department for screening.
• Bring a flashlight if you plan to stay out until or after dusk.