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Officials offer safety tips for families

Halloween can be a fun and magical night for youngsters when they get to dress up to go trick-or-treating. The City of Suffolk wants everyone to have an enjoyable and safe time out and about Monday, Oct. 31.

City officials remind families that trick-or-treating is for those ages 12 and under and that trick-or-treating in Suffolk ends at 8 p.m. by city code.

There are a multitude of events and activities for all ages to celebrate fall fun leading up to and on the big night, including the following:

Friday, Oct. 28

Friday Night Frights at the Suffolk Center: The Ring

The Suffolk Division of Tourism wants to give everyone the fright of their lives as they present a series of classic horror films at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

On Friday, Oct. 28, join them for “The Ring,” and find out why Samara wants a person to answer the phone. This 2002 movie is rated R and has a running time of 1 hour, 55 minutes.

The show begins at 8 p.m. and admission is $3 per person. No children under 17 will be permitted without a parent or guardian. For more information, contact the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts box office at 757-923-2900.  The event is sponsored by Suffolk Tourism, and located at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 110 West Finney Avenue.

Saturday, Oct. 29

Touch a Truck and Trick or Treat

Bring the little goblins and ghouls to the parking lot behind the courthouse on N. Commerce Street Saturday, Oct. 29 for Touch a Truck and Trick or Treat.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. Enjoy food, candy, games, trucks and more.

Children can see, touch, and explore their favorite big trucks and vehicles. It is a one-day interactive event that also gives children the opportunity to meet the men and women that serve, protect and build our community.

Vehicles on display include construction trucks, emergency vehicles, tractor trailers and utility trucks.

All youngsters are encouraged to wear their costumes and bring their treat bags, according to a news release.

Tickets are $5 each or 4 for $15 and are available on-site the day of the event.

For more information, call the Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society at 757.539.2781.

Saturday, Oct. 29 

Victorian Suffolk: Dying to Be There, A Guided Discovery of Cedar Hill Cemetery

This 75-minute walking tour explores the hidden meanings buried in Suffolk’s Historic Cedar Hill Cemetery.

The tour will feature Victorian-era symbolism, burial practices, funerary industries and mourning rituals, according to a news release. This intriguing and educational excursion will highlight how the residents of Suffolk both lived and died in the 19th Century.

Cedar Hill Cemetery is more than two centuries old, with roots that harken back to the founding of Suffolk. With keen eyes and curious minds, this tour will bring into focus the fascinating world of Victorian America, their obsession with death, dying, and living beyond the grave.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (60-plus), military and children 12 and under.

Participants are asked to park in the lot adjacent to the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, 326 North Main Street and meet at the Cedar Hill Cemetery gate adjacent to the parking lot. For more information, call 757-514-4130.

Saturday, Oct. 29

Legends of Main Street: A Suffolk Ghost Walk

 

A hair-raising encounter with the “spirited” side of Suffolk is set for Saturday, Oct. 29. Follow a costumed guide through the shadows of historic Main Street, discovering stories, legends and “unexplained occurrences” by lantern light.

Tales of unsolved mysteries and unresolved affairs abound throughout Suffolk’s historically hip Ghost Walk, according to a news release.

This walking tour is about 90 minutes and covers about 1.5 miles and departs from the Suffolk Visitor Center, located at 524 North Main Street; comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate dress are recommended.

Reservations are required. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early (7 to 8:30 p.m.) Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for seniors (60-plus), military and children ages 9-12. Not recommended for children under 9.  For more information, call 757-514-4130.

Sunday, Oct. 30 

Downtown Suffolk Trick or Treat

Downtown Suffolk’s Trick or Treat event is on October 30th from 4-6 p.m.  Bring the family and the dog for candy, treats and Halloween fun.

The event is organized by the Downtown Business Association.

Any downtown business looking to participate should contact Deanna Holt at dholt@suffolkva.us.

Halloween safety tips

The Suffolk Police Department and Suffolk Fire and Rescue remind everyone to please keep these safety tips in mind when out trick-or-treating:

Costumes

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
• Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
• Because some masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes. Makeup should be tested ahead of time on a small patch of skin to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises on the big day and removed in the evening to avoid possible skin irritation.
• When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame-resistant.
• If a sword, cane or stick is a part of a child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if they stumble or trip.
• Review with children how to call 911 if they ever have an emergency or become lost.

 Carving a Niche

• Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
• Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light a pumpkin. If a person does use a candle, a votive candle is safest.
• Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and not on a porch or any path where visitors may pass close by. They should never be left unattended.

 Home safe home

• To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.
• Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
• Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
• Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

On the trick or treat trail

• A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
• Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on, and never enter a home or car for a treat.
• Wait to eat any treats until after they can be safely inspected at home in a well-lit environment.

Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind trick-or-treaters:

• Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
• Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Carry a cellphone for quick communication.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
• If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
• Never cut across yards or use alleys.
• Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks where available. Never cross between parked cars.
• Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!
• If a person, vehicle or situation seems suspicious, act on your gut instinct and call the non-emergency number, 757-923-2350, and let an officer investigate.  If someone believes a crime is occurring, call 911 immediately.