The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office will once again have additional deputies patrolling the neighborhoods of Stafford County during Halloween evening, Saturday, October 31, 2015 to ensure that trick-or-treaters have a good trick-or-treat evening. The Sheriff’s Office will be x-raying candy/treats on Saturday evening, October 31, at the Sheriff’s Office, which is located in the Public Safety Center at 1225 Courthouse Road, from 5:00 – 8:30 pm. Please note that the x-ray process can detect the presence of pins, needles or other metallic objects but not the presence of poison/substances, wood or other non-metallic objects.

“We will have a visible presence in our community on Halloween,” states Sheriff Charles Jett. “This is a fun and exciting time of the year for our younger citizens and we want to make sure they have an enjoyable and safe evening.”

The Sheriff’s Office offers additional Halloween safety tips for children:

• Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.
• Have your name and address attached to your costume.
• Wear identification bracelets.
• Use flashlights.
• Walk through your neighborhood with others and do not stray from your group.
• Stay in your own neighborhood and trick-or-treat only at homes that have porch lights on.
• Never take shortcuts through back yards, alleys or parks.
• Never enter a home of a stranger or accept rides from a stranger.
• Try to wear costumes made of white or light colored materials. If your costume is dark attach reflector tape on the costume to increase night time visibility.
• Young children should ALWAYS be accompanied by an adult.
• Look in all directions before crossing the street and obey all traffic signals. Cross the street at the corner.
• Carry trick-or-treat bags that have strong straps or handles. This allows you to carry the bag with one hand leaving the other hand free.