Halloween is a holiday in which children seek sugary treats, but the health and safety concerns of the evening can be downright scary.
Health experts and law enforcement officials offered a few tricks recently to stay well and out of harm's way.
At Halloween, many of the same safety rules still apply: stick together, let parents inspect candy, wear light clothing, carry glow sticks or stick reflective tape on clothing, law enforcement officials said.
In Jamestown and Stutsman County, instances of criminal activity are relatively low for the holiday as many families choose neighborhood trick-or-treat alternatives and head to Buffalo Mall, Frontier Village, and churches like Victory Lutheran and Trinity Lutheran.
"It's a pretty quiet holiday around here for us," said Nick Hardy, school resource officer for the Jamestown Police Department and Jamestown Public Schools.
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Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser agreed, saying the same is true for the county, but sometimes he sees instances of vandalism to personal property.
"It all costs money (to the owner), and it's a crime," he said.
The North Dakota Department of Health advises parents to heed other safety tips like making sure costumes fit so children won't trip on them and to purchase flame-resistant costumes for an evening spent roaming neighborhoods.
And while the young ones are walking, they're getting exercise, said Robin Iszler, Central Valley Health unit administrator. Halloween treats aren't anything to worry about, she said, as long as the candy is enjoyed in moderation.
"Don't be afraid to throw it away if it's too much," Iszler said.
Iszler said recommended families get creative with the holiday and find ways to cut down on all the sugary treats.
Host a block party and offer treats like caramel apples instead of all the candy, she said. Or distribute healthier snacks like individual packs of pretzels, popcorn and animal crackers. Parents can even offer their children a trade. For example, in exchange for the treats, the family can purchase a toy or some other reward for the child instead, Iszler said.
"Parents should monitor what their children are eating and taking," she said.
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Sun reporter Katie Ryan-Anderson can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by email at kryan-and erson@jamestownsun.com
