Trick or treat: Jacket weather and other things to know about Halloween this year

This might be a good year to dress up as Cruella de Vil, Dick Tracy or Paddington Bear —characters known for wearing coats— for Halloween instead of, say, Moana, a surfer or Tarzan.

Halloween is going to be a bit chilly, predicted Danielle Knittle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The forecast called for a high in the mid-40s as of Thursday, with temperatures probably falling to close to 40 degrees by trick-or-treating time falling to close to freeing overnight, she said.

“We’re going to need the layers,” Knittle proclaimed.

But there is some good news. No one has to rush to plan a Mary Poppins costume; umbrellas probably won’t be needed.

The forecast calls for partial sunshine with just a 30 percent chance of some showers, Knittle said. People in higher elevations, though, might see some snowflakes mixed into any rain, she said.

And hold onto your hats. It’s a bit early to predict, but the weather could be a “little bit on the breezy side” with winds in the 10-to-15-mile-an-hour range or possibly a little gustier, Knittle said.

Here’s more local advice on how to have a safe and fun Halloween with your kids:

Lt. Mike Curley, Utica Police Department

The good news for parents is that Halloween isn’t usually a dangerous, crazy time in Utica. For the last five years, the police haven’t gotten a lot of calls, helped in part by terrible weather the last three years, Lt. Mike Curley, of the Utica Police Department, said.

And parents shouldn’t stress out over those urban legends of razor blades in apples, poisoned treats or residents handing out drugs instead of candy. The police department hasn’t ever gotten calls about goodies that have been tampered with, Curley said.

Generally the only Halloween-related calls that come in have to do with eggs and shaving cream, he said.

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But he did point to pedestrian safety as the biggest concern when so many children are out walking after dark. He advised trick-or-treaters to wear bright clothing, carry a flashlight and stay together.

The best advice he can give, though, Curley added, is for drivers: Be cautious, drive slowly and keep your eyes peeled for kids.

Upstate New York Poison Center

Last year, the Upstate New York Poison Center got nearly 200 calls Halloween night, the majority for pain medicines and toys, Assistant Medical Director Dr. Sarah Mahonski said.

Halloween sometimes involves things that can be hazardous for kids under five, such as glow sticks, light-up lipstick and toys like slime, she said.

Here are the center’s tips for Halloween safety:

• Don’t use old or expired makeup, especially if it smells bad. Although most makeup is non-toxic, it can cause irritation or allergic reaction on a child’s skin. Test it first on a small bit of skin and avoid the eye area.

• Don’t chew or break glow sticks; the liquid could cause a stinging or burning sensation, and occasionally blisters. If exposed, wash out the mouth or eye with water right away for about 15 minutes. Glow sticks don’t usually cause serious injuries, though.

• It’s best to take candy that is commercially packaged, unopened and made by a reputable brand. Avoid homemade treats. The risk of tainted candy is slim to none, but caution is safe and also avoids food poisoning.

• Make sure battery compartments on flashing jewelry are securely sealed. Don’t change the batteries in front of children. If a child does swallow a button battery, call 911 and go to the emergency room immediately.

• When in doubt, call the center at 1-800-222-1222; it’s open 24/7/365.

Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority

The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority has some advice to help area residents keep the planet safe by avoiding the landfill-growing waste that often comes with holidays.

Here’s how to mix some green into your orange and black this Halloween, according to the authority:

• Avoid the fast fashion of store-bought Halloween costumes by putting together an original costume. If you have to have a bought costume, host a costume swap with your friends or look for costumes in thrift stores.

• Instead of buy new decorations, which tend to be made quickly and cheaply, use natural decorations —such as pumpkins, gourds, mums and corn stalks, which can be composted — or making your own. Check out your recycling bin for glass bottles to make into lanterns, milk jugs into skeletons, cardboard boxes into tombstones and whatever else your imagination can create.

• Candy wrappers are not recyclable. But take a reusable bag or bucket trick-or-treating to collect your treats.

• Take part in the authority’s Fifth Annual Green Halloween Costume Contest. Students in Oneida and Herkimer counties can send a photo of DIY costumes by Nov. 2 to the authority for a chance to win $200. Photos can be emailed to Recycling Coordinator Eileen Brinck at eileenb@ohswa.org or sent to the authority’s social media.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Trick-or-treat forecast, Halloween safety and other holiday tips