Trick-or-treat warning for parents

WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Ghosts, monsters and zombies will be out haunting the streets as kids of all ages go trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods.

But, there could be real danger lurking right in your own backyard.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office reports that there are 1007 registered sex offenders living in this county alone.

Halloween came early in West Carrollton Thursday Night as the Civic Center hosted Monster Mash.

And many parents here are taking a proactive approach to make sure their little goblins stay safe on All Hallow's Eve.

"There's an app on your phone.  It tells you where all the sex offenders in the area are.  First and foremost, you do not want to go to those houses," says Mindy Potts.

Another tool you can use to keep your kids safe is the MCSO website which lists the addresses of registered sex offenders. There is also has an e-mail notification system to notify you when a sex offender registers within one mile of your home.

"I'm in the military so anytime we move to a new location, I make sure to check those websites before we buy a house," explains Patrick Nichols.

But there are other things you can do to protect your kids while they knock on doors.

"We walk in groups and I'm with her all the time, she wears light colors and carry a little flashlight," comments Jillian Roxburgh.

"We make sure that they have a good, safe trick-or-treat and even when we bring the candy home, we always check the candy as well," says William James.