As Halloween quickly approaches, the Dallas Police Department would like to offer some safety tips to ensure that you and the kiddos have a safe, fun and enjoyable time, “Trick or Treating”.
Some of you kids already know things that you can do to be safe, like how to cross the street, not to talk to or go with strangers, and things like that. However, we adults know how exciting Halloween can be and sometimes you forget to be careful.
- Provide adult supervision
Trick or treat is safer – not to mention more fun – in groups, and adult supervision is essential. So get together with other adults and make an evening of it. Bring cellphones for quick pictures and emergencies, but leave them in your pockets to avoid getting distracted.
- Stay on the sidewalks
The thrill of the holiday often factors into accidents as excited kids rush from door to door. Keep children on the sidewalks, and shepherd them carefully when they need to cross the road. In areas without sidewalks, walk on the far edge of the road, facing traffic.
- Carefully check candy
Check candy for choking hazards like gum and hard candies. Throw away any candy that is not sealed with a wrapper and avoid homemade treats received from strangers.
- Choose bright, visible costumes
When selecting a costume, opt for the bright-colored outfits and add a touch of reflective tape to the material. Stick some reflective tape on their trick-or-treat bags as well so they can be easily spotted by motorists. Lastly, don’t forget to make sure they’re equipped with a flashlight or glow stick – a must-have accessory for any costume.
For more information on Halloween safety, visit National Neighborhood Watch at https://nnw.org/halloween-safety-tips.