Halloween magic is in the air and Douglas is ready to welcome trick-or-treaters with open arms and glowing porch lights. Before the costumes come out and candy is collected, the City and Police Department urge families to keep safety top of mind while trick-or-treating this year.
As a reminder, the city has recommended that trick-or-treating in the city limits take place on Thursday, October 30, 2025, 6p.m.-8p.m. The City of Douglas and Douglas Police Department asks that parents not allow their kids to be out past 8:00 pm or dark in neighborhoods. While trick-or-treating, please be mindful of these safety tips:
- Wear bright, reflective clothing and a costume that doesn’t restrict your vision. You may also consider adding reflective tape to the child’s costume or treat bag.
- Stick to well-lit neighborhoods and homes with their porch lights on. Walk on the sidewalk, and only cross the street at intersections or crosswalks.
- Avoid walking or running in the street. Children should not run from parked cars or across lawns where yard décor, furniture, or clotheslines could pose dangers.
- If you see anything suspicious, notify the police.
- Make sure your child has a flashlight, glow stick, or reflective tape on their costumes to be more visible to motorists.
- Kids should go only to homes where the residents are known and where the outside lights are on as a sign of welcome.
- Warn children not to eat any treats until an adult has examined them carefully for evidence of tampering. Carefully examine any toys or novelty items received by trick-or-treaters who are under three years of age. Do not allow young children to have any items with small components that could separate and pose a choking hazard. Watch candy intake because too much candy can cause stomach aches and indigestion.
Homeowners participating in candy distribution should turn on their porch lights and try to illuminate their yard as much as possible. Lights, decorations, and porch lights should be turned off at 8 pm as a way to discourage late trick-or-treating. If not distributing candy, homeowners should turn off their porch lights. Drivers should exercise extreme caution and are urged not to impede the flow of traffic on neighborhood streets. Also, motorists are advised not to impede traffic flow by parking vehicles on public streets. The Police Department also asks drivers not to park on the grass and in the yards of homeowners. Motorists may be cited for violations. Halloween participants are asked to show courtesy and respect to neighborhoods.
If homeowners expect trick-or-treaters, they should remove any obstacles from their lawns, steps, and porches. Candlelit jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited. As a precaution, before trick-or-treating, parents may wish to visit the GBI sex offender website, https://state.sor.gbi.ga.gov/sort_public, to familiarize themselves with the residences of registered sex offenders.
The VisitDouglasCoffeeCountyGA Facebook page has a list of Halloween events taking place.