By Riley Stephens
rstephens20@student.alamo.edu
Halloween is the one night of the year that parents help their children transform into monsters then go off into the night in search of treats.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 41.1 million potential trick-or-treaters in 2012 were children ages 5 to 14.
Deputy Chief Joe Pabon of the district police department said most neighborhoods have trick-or-treating 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Sometimes parents like to join their children in trick-or treating to make it a family event.
“Every year, we’re themed as a family. The first year we were animals. I was a bunny. My husband was a mouse and my son was a puppy,” nursing sophomore Kalena Gutierrez said.
This year, they will dress up as characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
“I will dress up as April O’Neil. My son is trying to decide between Michelangelo who is cool, and Donatello who is smart,” Gutierrez said.
Pabon said bright colored-costumes are recommended because they can easily be seen from a distance.
Gutierrez said she makes the costumes by hand and most of the costumes are based on television reruns.
Pabon said the No. 1 thing is “never let your kids go out trick-or-treating by themselves.”
Education sophomore Eva Alvarado said she has two daughters ages 15 and 20 who still trick-or-treat.
“We all dress up and we all go trick-or-treating door to door. I’ve always enjoyed it since I was little,” Alvarado said.
Pabon said when going out trick-or-treating, carry a flashlight and go only to houses that are lit.
Pabon said if parents are new to their neighborhood and looking for safe places to trick-or-treat, they should get in touch with their local churches, fire departments or police departments to see where they can go.
Business management freshman Natalie Luna said her son is going to celebrate his first Halloween with his cousins.
“My favorite Halloween memory was going house to house trick-or-treating with my brother and sister,” Luna said.
Pabon said parents should check all the candy before it gets eaten and pay close attention to any homemade candy.
“If it is not made by someone you know, then I would throw it away,” Pabon said.
Pabon’s advice for young adults and college age kids is to have a designated driver and don’t leave your drinks unattended.
Worst Halloween treat ever received
Most common of 50 students surveyed
10. Tootsie Rolls
9. carrots
8. Milk Duds
7. Double Bubble
6. pretzels
5. pencils
4. raisins
3. candy corn
2. dental supplies
1. apples