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Officials encourage safety first on Halloween

News Photo by Julie Riddle Keeping an eye on the time, Alice in Wonderland and Little Red Riding Hood collect goodies at the annual Trunk Or Treat event in downtown Alpena Friday.

ALPENA — Halloween is meant to be a night of fun but public safety officials are encouraging parents and children to stay safe when they’re out trick-or-treating.

“Basically, what we’re asking is the kids understand to stay away from the homes that aren’t lit,” Tim Marquardt, high school liaison officer with the Alpena Police Department, said. “You can usually tell the people who are celebrating the holiday or not, so only go to the homes you see that there’s lights on.”

Marquardt recommends parents walk with their kids while trick-or-treating or for kids to stay in groups while trick-or-treating. He also suggests being mindful of the length of costumes and props, so that one doesn’t trip, and not petting other people’s pets.

Alpena residents will be able to trick or treat between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Additionally, he said those driving should pay attention to their surroundings.

Children will be able to pick up free glow sticks from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alpena Police Department before the trick-or-treating begins.

Parents who are not able to pick up the glow sticks at the police department can pick them up during the day at the city police department or any PNC Bank location.

“The intent for them is to go home, there are lanyards that come with these (glowsticks), and they can just hang it from their costume for better visibility since there will be plenty of vehicles out, besides foot traffic,” Marquardt said.

Marquardt said he, Darren the Lion, and the Alpena High School DARE role models will be handing out glow sticks. Marquardt said they run the glowstick pickup like a drive-thru, where parents can drive up, tell them how many glow sticks they need and head home.

He suggested to bring a flashlight if they don’t pick up a glow stick.

“Fireman Andy” Marceau, community risk reduction officer with the Alpena City Fire Department, said following trick-or-treating, adults should also check the candy to make sure that it is sealed and to discard anything that looks suspicious.

In addition to trick-or-treating, more than 100 carved pumpkins will be on display once again at the Halloween House, starting at 5 p.m. on Ferncliff Drive.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

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