Sunshine Sentinel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—This Halloween, Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing tips to parents for safe trick-or-treating. To ensure this year’s Halloween is filled with sweet treats instead of tricks, Attorney General Moody is urging parents to have a plan in place and be cautious while celebrating the holiday with children. Attorney General Moody is also warning older partygoers to never use illicit substances as just one pill can kill.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As a mother, I know how exciting Halloween can be for both children and parents—from planning kids’ costumes to going door-to-door trick-or-treating. But it can turn scary if safety precautions are not part of the festivities. Always remember that just one pill can kill, so don’t fall victim to the allure of illicit drugs. Take advantage of our tips to make sure you and your family have a safe and happy Halloween.”

Attorney General Moody offers these tips to any parents whose children may be trick-or-treating:

• Plan a safe and agreed upon route for children to take, ensuring trick-or-treaters stay visible, follow traffic rules and always travel with a buddy;
• Never let a trick-or-treater enter a stranger’s home, even if sweet treats are offered;
• Have a trusted adult inspect all gathered candy to verify the treats are sealed and safe to eat—discard anything that seems suspicious; and
• Make sure that children have a way to contact a parent or guardian in case of an emergency.

Older partygoers should follow these tips to avoid illicit substances during Halloween:

• Never take any pills or medication given by a friend or stranger;
• Do not eat candy or food that is unwrapped or looks tampered with;
• Keep food and drinks in sight at all times when out; and
• Report suspicious behavior to authorities.

Parents and guardians can visit FLSexOffender.net to see a list of all registered sex offenders and predators living within a five-mile radius. Florida law prohibits sex offenders from distributing candy or other items to children on Halloween. Attorney General Moody asks Floridians who encounter a sex offender giving out candy to notify local authorities.

For additional tips on how to further protect your children, click here.

Attorney General Moody released the Fast Facts on Fentanyl Toolkit to show how dangerous illicit drugs can be. The toolkit highlights the dangers of fentanyl and can help families better understand the risks associated with drug use and avoid tragedy. To view the Fast Facts on Fentanyl Toolkit, click here.

To help keep Floridians educated on the dangers of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, Attorney General Moody developed Dose of Reality Florida. The website is a one-stop resource for Floridians to learn about the dangers of opioid misuse, how to receive support for addiction and where to drop off unused prescription drugs. To learn more about Dose of Reality Florida, click here.

Original source can be found here.