Oct. 30 in Troy, Brundidge

By MICHELLE J. WILSON

Staff Writer

Published Oct. 22, 1999

Troy Mayor Jimmy Lunsford and Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage have asked citizens to celebrate Halloween this year on Oct. 30 instead of Oct. 31, which is a Sunday.

The change was made with the safety of the children in mind and because Sunday is a school night, Lunsford said.

The Troy Police Department is asking area motorists and parents to keep safety in mind that night.

Motorists should drive extremely slow Oct. 30 and watch for children, said Troy Police Chief Anthony Everage.

Parents should buy costumes made of flame resistant materials for their children and talk with their kids about safety before they go out that night, Everage said.

"Tell you child to bring home the candy before eating it," he said. "Parents should examine the candy and toss out any that is not properly wrapped.

Adults should accompany young children trick or treating, and older children need to stay in groups.

Sgt. Benny Scarbrough, public information officer with the Troy Police Department, offered some additional Halloween safety tips for children.

"Tell your parents which route you will be taking and go only to houses you know," Scarbrough said. "Visit homes that have porch lights on to welcome you."

Children should walk and not run. They should walk on the left side of the road facing traffic and not cut across yards or driveways, he said. Trick or treaters need to look both ways before crossing streets.

Scarbrough offered these additional tips for safe trick-or-treating:

-Wear light-colored clothing or reflective tape so you can be seen easily

– Instead of a mask, wear face makeup, which does not hinder vision

-Never get in a car with a stranger or someone you don’t trust