Trick Or Treat Safety From Dover Police

The Dover Police Department would like to remind parents, children, and motorists to remain alert and keep safety a top priority during this Halloween. While we will have extra officers on the streets and in our neighborhoods on Trick-or-Treat Night, it is important to take note of the safety tips we have provided below.

Trick or Treat Date/Times:

• Trick-or-Treating in the City of Dover limits is scheduled for SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30TH from 5pm-8pm (Traditionally it used to be 2 hours, due to the pandemic last year the city extended it to 3 hours to allow safer social distancing and found that worked well. Please be sure to turn your light on if you are participating, and parents only allow your children to go to participating homes.
• Participating homes should have their front lights on
• Households that are not participating should turn off their front lights

Motorist Safety Tips:

• Motorists are asked to drive with an abundance of caution and travel at a reduced speed in residential areas.
• Many children and adults will be walking through residential areas and depending on the availability of sidewalks, may be near or on the roadway.
• Be aware of children inadvertently darting across the street in the path of vehicles.

Trick or Treating Safety Tips:

• Children should NEVER go Trick or Treating alone. They should be with a parent/guardian, or a group of friends at all times.
• Stay off of main roadways.
• Costumes should fit properly, with no loose/hanging items.
• Consider face paint instead of masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision.
• Trick or Treaters should carry a flashlight at all times.
• Utilize glow sticks and/or reflective tape/material attached to costumes and bags for added visibility.
• Before crossing the street, always look in both directions twice to make sure no vehicles are coming.
• Inspect all candy to ensure it is not tampered with, prior to consuming it.