By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Ghosts, goblins, super heroes and princesses will be hitting the streets next week to enjoy one of the most anticipated nights of the year – Halloween.
Children of all ages dress their best or scariest and hit the streets for an evening of free candy and fun.
While trick-or-treating is an exciting time, it's important for children and their parents to take every safety precaution when out and about.
Niles City Police officer Kevin Kosten has been making his rounds to local schools, talking with children in grades kindergarten through third about the importance of being safe while trick-or-treating.
On Monday, Kosten was at Northside school talking with children about what's right and what's wrong and how to stay safe on Halloween night. He even supplies children with free glow sticks they can take with them while they are out collecting their goodies.
"This is something we do every year around Halloween. It's important to remind kids about how to be safe while they are trick-or-treating," Kosten said.
While talking with classes, Kosten asks questions about strangers, when they should eat their candy and what children should ask someone when they walk to their doorstep.
"Never, ever go inside someone's house to get candy," he told the students.
He also said it's important for them to wait until their parents look through their candy to make sure everything is wrapped and alright to eat.
Kosten also talked about safety around vehicles and that children should stay on the sidewalks.
"The glow sticks provide a few hours of light and allow people to see children better," Kosten said.