Halloween & Bonfire Night advice
Milton Keynes Police would like to inform you of what your local Neighbourhood Policing Team and local partners are doing during the Halloween and firework celebrations.
Your Neighbourhood Team will be carrying out patrols in the evenings to make sure people who are trick or treating are doing so in a friendly manner and not causing a nuisance.
For some people this time of year can be a bother as your evenings are interrupted with people knocking on your doors for treats. Most of these children or teenagers are just getting involved in the Halloween celebrations and will be friendly.
At any point if you feel unsafe:
- Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spy-hole, look out of a window and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door.
- Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them.
- If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. If you are a coordinator, please identify people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.
Thames Valley Police will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour at any time of the year.
For more information about Halloween and Bonfire night, please click on the links below
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/seasonal-events-halloween
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/seasonal-events-bonfire-night
If you wish to print out Thames Valley Police – No Trick or Treat card to display in your window, the link is below
http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/halloween_-_no_trick_or_treat-card_-_ci3749.pdf
To report anti-social behaviour contact the Thames Valley Police 24-hour non-emergency number 101.
In an emergency dial 999.
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service offers the following advice on fire safety at Halloween:
Lanterns
- Think carefully about the fire risks, particularly the possibility of the candle falling over. If making homemade lanterns, never use plastic bottles or containers.
- Never allow small children to carry lanterns lit by naked flames.
Costumes
- Make sure that Halloween costumes and masks are labeled as flame resistant.
- Don’t use flammable materials to make home-made costumes.
- Keep children away from naked flames at all times.
Candles
- Make sure that candles are securely placed in a correct holder away from drafts, and placed where they are not likely to be knocked over.
- Never let children play near candles.
- Ensure that the candles are extinguished completely at night.
Lighting
- If you are using decorative lights in your home, ensure that the electricity sockets are not overloaded.
Decorative lights should be switched off at the mains last thing at night, or if the bulbs need changing.