TEXARKANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/26/06
Officer Chris Rankin
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)
903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department wishes children and parents a safe and happy Halloween. We would like to recommend the following safety tips to parents and trick-or treaters in an effort to raise safety awareness.
Motorists are urged to be especially alert on Halloween. • Watch for children darting out from between parked cars • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. • Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully. • At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.
Before children start out on their "trick or treat" rounds, parents should: • Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12. • Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions. • Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route. • Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit and never to enter a stranger's home. • Establish a return time. • Tell your youngsters not to eat any treat until they return home. • Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules. • Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group. • Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes. • Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath. • Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. (Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries on Halloween.) • If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of reflective tape should be used to make children visible. • Masks can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up instead. • When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for application. • If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes. • Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects. • Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark. • Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly. Children should understand and follow these rules: • Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision. • Walk, do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards. • Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. • Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic if there are no sidewalks. To ensure a safe trick-or-treat outing, parents are urged to: • Give children an early meal before going out. • Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. • Wash fruit and slice into small pieces. • When in doubt, throw it out.
Any questions concerning Halloween safety may be directed to the Public Affairs Office of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Dept. at (903)798-3187.
Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.