A ghoulish guide to staying safe this Halloween

The leaves are falling from the trees, the nights are drawing in, and there’s a spooky feeling in the air…

Halloween is frightfully close, for many, it’s a chance to roam the streets for treats, visit old haunts and have a fangtastic time. So, with a helping hand from Wiltshire Police, here are some handy hints and tricks so you don’t get haunted by any Halloween faux pas this spooky season.

If you or someone you know is ‘trick or treating’ this Halloween, follow these six simple top tips:

1. Little guys and ghouls should always be accompanied by a grownup when trick or treating
2. You should only haunt houses of people that you know and who are happy for you to call
3. Stay safe, keep to places that you know and are well lit. Do not take shortcuts through ghostly gardens, alien alleyways or pumpkin parks
4. Watch out for traffic
5. If you’re wearing a spooky mask, make sure that you can see where you are going and are aware of your surroundings you don’t want to get the fright of your life from a lampost…
6. Carry a torch and a fully charged mobile phone (if you have one).

If you are at home and at any point you do feel nervous or unsafe:
• Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spy-hole, look out of a window and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door
• Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them
• If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. If you are a coordinator, please identify people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

If you don’t want trick or treaters at your door this Halloween, ‘No trick or treat’ posters are available for you to download and display here.

The poster can be displayed in your home, or the homes of any neighbours or relatives. It should be displayed in a prominent position either on the front door or front window.