Mexico, surrounding communities offer safe sites for Halloween

From the scariest to the cutest, trick-or-treaters in Mexico and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to visit several safe sites for Halloween, thanks to area nursing facilities, churches and organizations. More and more "safe" Halloween places are becoming quite popular. Nursing facilities give the children a safe place to trick-or-treat, as well as give the residents the opportunity to see the little "spooks."

The following facilities will offer candy for the kiddos Halloween night:

• Teal Lake Assisted Living and The Arbors, 3-5 p.m. at each facility.

• Golden Living Center/Pin Oaks, 4-5 p.m.

• King's Daughters Home, 5-6 p.m.

• Missouri Veterans' Home, 6:30-8 p.m. in the cafeteria.

In addition to the nursing facilities, churches are also providing save Halloween places with "trunk-or-treat" events on the parking lots of the church.

First Baptist Church in Mexico will have a trunk-or-treat event from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. In addition to receiving candy, the children will have the opportunity to play games in a family-friendly environment.

Lockewood Park Baptist church will have its trunk-or-treat event from 6-8 p.m. for children through sixth grade. If it rains, the event will be moved to the church basement.

The Martinsburg Area Community Betterment will welcome witches and goblins to jail as it hosts the "Halloween at the Jail" event.

Washington Street in downtown Martinsburg will provide a safe family environment from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday. Trunk-or-treaters will spend the evening going from trunk to trunk, collecting candy from volunteers who have decorated their vehicles to serve as a backdrop for this spookacular event. Before leaving town spooks are to stop by the jail for more Halloween thrills and surprises. "Anything can happen at the jail on Halloween," stated organizers.

The Farber Community Betterment is also sponsoring a trunk-or-treat at the park on Front Street from 6-7:30 p.m. For those wanting to decorated their trunks for the children, there will be prizes for most creative "trunk" or display. The trick-or-treaters are welcome to come gather candy and enjoy the displays.

Mexico Public Safety would like to remind citizens of the following safety rules for Halloween:

• Drivers should drive slowly and pay attention to the possibility of children running into traffic.

• Costumes should be flame resistant, brightly colored or reflective, and properly fitting

• Younger Trick or Treaters should be accompanied by an adult

• Older children should travel in groups and only in neighborhoods with which they are familiar

• Use sidewalks when available and use care in crossing the street

• Trick or Treaters should carry lights, and someone in the group should have a cellular phone

• Children should not go into someone else's home or vehicle

• Parents should know where their children are going and when they will return

• Homeowners should keep their walkways lit and clear of decorations that might pose a tripping hazard. Open flames should also be avoided.

In addition, citizens are welcome to come by the MPSD station for glo-sticks and candy.