Halloween Safety: Keeping kids safe

It's a Halloween tradition right here on Delmarva. 

Haunted houses are known for offering a good fright but how can you be sure you or your kids are safe? 

One local haunted house owner says parents should be vigilant at all times.

"I feel that its important for parents to always pay attention to their kids and especially where they are. they should go with them even if they are scared." 

Leslie Horne and her parents run the Slaughter House Farm in Laurel. 

She says they have to meet state-mandated benchmarks before they can open their doors for the season, but they go several steps further to keep patrons safe.  

"We have security cameras all through out the attraction so we can see everything's that's going on to make sure everyone is safe. The actors are safe. Nobody falls or gets hurt."

Both owners and police say the best way thing parents can do to keep their kids safe this Halloween season is to research the facility before they even leave the house. "

Laurel Police Chief, Dan Wright, says parents should ask key questions to find out  if the attraction will be safe and fun for their kids. 

"Maybe contact someone who is in charge and ask them how interactive is it? The majority of haunted houses I'm familiar with there's a no touch clause."

In Delaware no one is allowed to touch. 

This means the experience should be hands off for both the actors and the people coming out for a good time. 

Chief Wright says its important for kids to know the rules, so they don't end up getting hurt.

"It goes back to their parents. Parents should be briefing or talking to their kids about what to expect. Even if their parents don't attend depending if its a teenager or not so that way if someone does get touched inappropriately, if something doesn't seem right they can go back to their parents."

Chief Wright says even though the onus is on parents, business owners can help keep the public safe by requiring workers to get background checks. 

So far, there is no law requiring owners to follow suit, but Slaughter House Farm owners say all their volunteers are checked before they can help out with the annual operation. 

It's just another step to make sure all the screams are just good old fashioned fun.