Tips for Halloween

HALLOWEEN IS FAST APPROACHING

Here are a few tips to prepare parents and make fun for everyone.

Encourage the kids to use facial make-up instead of a mask

Spend the extra dollar and purchase quality make-up. You don’t want your kid to have that same look weeks later

If possible, design the costume to accommodate a sweater or even a jacket underneath depending on the weather

Make sure that all costumes and accessories are flame resistant

Keep in mind how much walking they’ll be doing for their age. You don’t want to have to carry your ghoul home

Carry extra bags to empty candy in so the kids don’t get overly tired

If you have more than one child to supervise, try bringing a wagon or cart to unload the candy in as they go door to door

If you’re taking other kids with you, set out the rules before you leave and make sure they understand

For young children, Halloween night is one of the best of the year. But trick-or-treating can be dangerous if kids and parents aren’t careful. Take a look at some vital trick-or-treating tips before you accompany your child.

*Plan a route in advance. Trick-or-treating could take you several streets away from your house, which can cause sore legs and a bit of frustration. Avoid long paths by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost.

*War comfy shoes. Make sure you and your children are in comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Girls in dresses should avoid heels, and all shoelaces should be double-tied to avoid tripping in the dark.

Where are sex offenders on Halloween? Worried about your kids knocking on doors of sex offenders while trick or treating? Kids in Okeechobee are busy getting their Halloween costumes ready. The overall focus is to keep children safe, especially on a night when there's so many of them outdoors.

Okeechobee County currently has (2) juvenile offenders, (93) offenders and (9) predators), that register with the Sheriff’s Office. Florida's number of registered sex offenders is rising dramatically.

Restrictions can vary from case to case, depending on court-ordered probation requirements and the crimes committed. Some offenders and predators have no restrictions. But, for the most part, offenders and predators aren't allowed to put up Halloween decorations, or in any way entice kids to come to their doors. This mission doesn't just keep kids safe, it also helps these individuals stay out of trouble.

To search your neighborhood, check out the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators website, fdle.state.fl.us. The website allows users to find any sex offenders and predators living within a five-mile radius of a particular address in Florida. When you search the state database, you have several options. If you are looking for a particular person, you can type in as much or as little information as you know. In most cases, you will want to do a very broad search. Simply typing your ZIP code into the search tool will give you a list (with photos if they are available) of every registered sex offender who shares your ZIP code. Further down on the database search form, you will find the option to search within a one mile radius of an address you choose. Typing in your address will build a map that pinpoints the home (and in some cases, the work address) of every registered sex offender within a mile of your home.

The Sheriff’s Office would ask that all Trick-or-Treaters be done by 9:00 p.m.

Be Safe and Have Fun!