Happy Halloween! Be Spooky and Safe

It's Halloween in Andover, and that means parties, candy and trick-or-treat.

While Halloween is a night for scary fun, but one real scare involves safety. Andover Police are urging residents to be extra vigilant with kids walking around.

Trick-or-treat is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Because it's on a weekday this year, that means it will be at peak traffic time. And anyone who drives around Andover -- particularly near downtown -- knows what that's like.

"We just want to make sure people have flashlights and parents keep an eye on the kids," Andover Police Commander Charles Haseltine said. "We'll have extra patrols out working and extra patrol officers at all schools."

The extra patrols at schools are to prevent vandalism.

While often unwanted accessories with Halloween costumes, reflective items of clothing are a good idea. Kids without parents with them should walk in groups (trick-or-treating alone doesn't seem very fun anyway!) and stay in their groups from house to house.

And if you are heading to a party, use extra caution as kids may be still out there when you go.