State Rep. Frye: Tips For A Fun, Safe Halloween

Halloween is just a week away.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Halloween is quickly approaching, and many Hoosiers are taking part in fall festivities and getting their costumes together for trick-or-treating. While preparing to celebrate, it is a good time to remember a few tips to stay safe when participating in several fun events in our area.

For those dressing up this year, families should consider selecting light-colored costumes or adding reflective tape so children can be easily seen by vehicles. Parents can also help prevent kids from tripping or falling by keeping costumes short and avoiding costume masks that cover the whole face, which can obstruct a child's vision.

Mapping out a safe route for trick-or-treating and instructing kids to only stop at familiar homes where the outside lights are on is also an important tip, as well as reminding them not to enter homes or cars of strangers. Be sure to follow your community's trick-or-treating hours, but also encourage kids to trick or treat while it's still light out. For those out after dark, have flashlights with you and travel on well-lit streets.

To help keep kids safe, remind your trick-or-treaters not to eat any of their candy until they get home, where you can check out the treats in a lighted area. Only eat unopened candies that are in the original wrappers.

In addition to trick-or-treating, our community also has several events this month for Hoosiers to celebrate Halloween. For those with middle and high school students in Dearborn County, the cities of Lawrenceburg and Greendale are hosting Teen Halloween 2020 at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 at the Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds. The free event will have a DJ, trunk or treat, a costume contest and a lantern release.

The Aurora Ghost Walk is a fun event for the whole family and will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 and 30. The tour begins at the Main Street Aurora office, and reservations are required by calling 812-926-1100. For Ripley County residents, there will be trunk-or-treating at Batesville Intermediate School at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 29. Hoosiers who are searching for a spookier event should check out Vogt Farm's haunted corn maze, which is open each weekend in October.

There are many ways to celebrate Halloween, from trick-or-treating to haunted mazes. While enjoying the holiday this year, remember to follow CDC guidelines, wear a mask and socially distance when around others to help keep you and your family safe from COVID-19. For more tips on Halloween safety, visit in.gov/isp.