Officer Marie Abraham gives a trick-or-treating safety presentation to second grade students at Red Mill Elementary School.

Halloween is a fun time of the year for children as they dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating with friends in their neighborhoods. But it’s important that students know how they can celebrate Halloween while remaining safe.

Over the past 10 days, Officer Marie Abraham, the school resource officer from Columbia High School and a police officer with the East Greenbush Police Department, visited the elementary schools to talk with the students about trick-or-treating safety. She was joined by Officer Rich Eckel from the Schodack Police Department for the Green Meadow presentation.

Officer Abraham answers a question from a student at Genet Elementary School.

The officers provided the following tips during the 20-minute presentations. They also answered questions from students.

• Wear a safe costume – no tripping hazards or sharp objects
• If you wear a mask, make sure you can see and breathe
• Bring a flashlight
• Wear light colored/reflective clothing
• Walk on the sidewalk
• Always stay with an adult and in a group
• Don’t go into houses or cars
• Trick or treat in well-lighted areas
• Have your parents check all of your candy before you eat it
• Respect other people’s property
• Use your manners when trick-or-treating