10/31 NEWSBREAK: How to keep all trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween

It’s Halloween and tonight, children will go door-to-door asking for candy and frights.

The American Red Cross of South Carolina has 10 tips on how to keep kids safe:

Trick-or-treaters need to be seen. Use face makeup instead of masks because they can make seeing difficult. Give a flashlight to trick-or-treaters to light their way. Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
Use flame-resistant costumes.
Make sure adults know where the kids are going. A parent or trusted adult should also accompany children when going door-to-door.
Be cautious around animals – especially dogs.
Walk. Do not run.
Only visit homes with a porch light on: Accept treats at the door, never go inside.
Only walk on sidewalks. Never walk in the street. If sidewalks are not available, walk on the edge of the roadway facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street and only cross at corners. Don’t cross between parked cars, and don’t cut across yards or use alleys.
Use caution while driving.
Adults should check all goodies before eating. Make sure to remove any loose candy, open packages and any choking hazards. Discard any items with brand names that are unfamiliar.
If you are welcoming any trick-or-treaters, remember to light your area. Young visitors need to see that your home is lit and welcoming. Also, remember to sweep sidewalks and steps, and clear driveways and porches for obstacles someone can trip on.

Meanwhile, the Professional Firefighters Association of South Carolina has kicked off a new initiative to make Halloween a more inclusive event for children with intellectual or physical disabilities. Some homes will participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project by placing blue pumpkins or baskets on their doorsteps to show support for the cause, as well as make small changes to accommodate those who may need the extra help.

In other news:

CP NEWS: New walk/bike bridge over Ashley River sprints ahead. City, county, state and federal officials and advocacy leaders celebrated the groundbreaking on the Ashley River Crossing project Monday, a coming $73 million pedestrian and bike bridge that connects the West Ashley Greenway to Lockwood Boulevard downtown.

Haley signs up to be on S.C. presidential primary ballot. Former Gov. Nikki Haley, ranked second in some GOP polls in the 2024 race to be the party’s presidential nominee, yesterday filed to be on the Feb. 24 primary ballot in South Carolina. She expects to be the national Republican alternative to GOP frontrunner and embattled former President Donald Trump.

Charleston Co. Election Board reports 3,500 early votes so far. The Charleston County Board of Elections reports that 3,500 people in the county have already cast their ballots since early voting kicked off. Election experts expect that number to rise steadily throughout this week.

Charleston Co. library reopens Mount Pleasant branch. The Charleston County Public Library system re-opened the renovated Village Library in Mount Pleasant on Monday with a refreshed interior, including a new paint job, new carpet and new furniture.

Charleston Co. sheriff announces funding for jail education programs. Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano and a group of state lawmakers announced nearly $600,000 for the Al Cannon Detention Center’s education programming.

Magnolia development continues on 140 acres on Charleston peninsula. City leaders, environmental experts and landowners of the Magnolia tract in the neck of the Charleston Peninsula gathered to celebrate the first steps of the project that includes more hotels, residences, offices, retail shops and restaurants along 140 acres.