Trick-or-treat: South Milwaukee police officers offer Halloween safety tips ahead of festivities

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Several communities throughout our area geared up to celebrate Halloween, but before the trick-or-treating began, safety remained top of mind.

"Go in groups of friends. If it's younger children, there should be a responsible adult with them, kids should be reminded that they are not supposed to go into anybody's house, even if invited," said Captain Dan Fournier of South Milwaukee Police Department.

Monday, Oct. 31 the city of South Milwaukee carved their pumpkins and decked their homes out in ghoulish garb, getting ready to welcome little monsters.

"Halloween has gotten even more and more better throughout the years, it seems like," said Gregory Ortiz, South Milwaukee resident.

The South Milwaukee Police Department also added to the costume of young trick-or-treaters this year, with the aid of reflective trick-or-treat bags ahead of their ghostly greetings.

"It's a trick-or-treat bag, but it also gives the kids some safety tips to remember while they are out trick-or-treating," said Capt. Fournier.

Some of those tips include taking a flashlight with you, making sure your costume fits so you don’t trip over it, and only visiting places you know.

"Letting another adult, that’s maybe with your party but staying home -- 'hey, this is the way we are going to go, in case you need to find us,'" said Capt. Fournier.

The captain said it's key to have a good game plan of communication ahead of the spooky holiday.

The trick-or-treating fun started at 5:30 p.m. in South Milwaukee and goes until 7:30.